49

=Exposition/Inciting Incident=

Have you ever been really sad about something? Well, I have. Ever since the beginning of September in 2007, it seems as if I have been slouched on my pink, canopy bed holding my Yorkshire-Terrier. Now it is May, 2008. It just so happens, that it is all because my sister is going to college! Her name is Jessica, and she has blond hair and blue eyes. I am very close with her and I am devastated because I don't want her to go. I knew this day would have to come sometime, but it came sooner than I thought. We had to search for colleges, and visit them almost every weekend for one period of time. Every time, we went to a school, I felt like my eyes were going to burst into tears, because it reminded me that before I knew it, it would be a new year, and time for Jessica to go to college. I thought I would be like a pro of trying to hide my sadness, because four years ago, my brother, Mike, went to college also. Then, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, I felt depressed that she was leaving. Every little detail about my sister made me miserable. If it was the thought of that I wouldn't smell her favorite perfume, Lilu, all the way to the sound of her barking Maltese.

My mom came into my room and asked, "What are you doing? You're usually bouncing of the walls like a frog, and you're just sitting here as quiet as a mouse?"

I looked up and replied, "Well, yeah I am just relaxing. You know?" Then, she saw my blue eyes sparkling in the light.

"Is there something the matter?" she said concernedly, "It looks like you were crying?"

"No! I...I...I...was just thinking." I nervously stated, "I'm not sad. Why would I be sad? Are you kidding? I am better than ever!"

"Then, explain the shimmering, watered eyes, the sniffling nose, and the pink-tinted face that is looking up at me. I thought I heard someone sniffling up here," she commented, "I know there is something wrong, now what is it? Is it that.... hold on a second. Think about how you want to tell me. I will go bake some delicious chocolate-chip cookies for you."

"Yes!" I thought to myself. That was a relief I thought she would never leave! I wasn't mad at her, but it just felt awkward and I didn't want to tell her. I thought that she would think it was stupid. But, one thing I know is, before long, she would definitely be back. That is just her personality. She doesn't forget anything that I want her to forget!

ARE YOU CLOSE WITH YOUR SISTER? IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE ANGRY WITH YOUR MOM? IS THAT THE PROBLEM OR IS THE PROBLEM WHEN YOUR SISTER MOVES OUT TO COLLEGE? REMEMBER YOUR INCITING INCIDENT PRESENTS THE OVERALL PROBLEM TO THE STORY.

=Rising Action= When I was in my favorite room of the whole house (which is of course, my unbelievably girly room) I started thinking that it isn't just the thought that my sister wouldn't be home. I won't have anybody to help me with my homework or really anything I need help with. I also won't have anybody to have fun with. I usually tell Jessica everything that no one else knows. Now I won't be able to do that. Finally, I will be an only child. So, what is there to be glad about? Nothing! How is it possible to be cheerful when all of these crazy things are happening? Right then, I had to think of the intelligent saying my grandma used to say. That great saying is, sadness is like a cycle; being sad is bad for your soul, and having a bad soul makes you miserable. Then, it keeps on going. I thought of this because she always says that when someone appears to be sad.

I was thinking for about an hour now, and I was right. My mom was sure to walk right in the door of my hot pink and decorated room, with bright eyes and a sort of creepy smile, holding a long, flat, gray tray, full of cookies. All of a sudden, the whole house smelt delicious because of them. "Here, you eat these fresh baked cookies I made just for you; your favorite - chocolate-chip. Now, are you feeling better?" My mom said that the sweetest I think I have ever seen her.

"Yeah, thanks mom!" I was trying to act sweet for her because she was being so nice to me, but inside I was dying.

"That's good, so tell me what was wrong anyway. You can tell me," she explained.

"Nothing really, I..."

My mom smiled because she knew she was correct. "Ah ha! Exactly, nothing REALLY! That's the key word here. There is something wrong." The phone rang, "Oh come on, that phone never stops ringing! Sometimes it seems like the phone just yells to annoy me! I will be right back." She then, finally walked out. I was so happy to hear the phone ring. Although, I was scared she would talk to me about it again sometime. Therefore, I was still thinking. All the changes were so strange. To think someone else will have to help me with everything, I will have to find another way to entertain myself by inviting friends over, watching T.V., or playing with my pets, and I have definitely never been an only child. I guess I will just have to get used to it. But, it will be difficult.

HOW DID THOSE THOUGHTS ABOUT YOUR SISTER LEAVING MAKE YOU FEEL? WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU WERE THINKING THESE THINGS? DESCRIBE YOUR SETTING. WHY DID THIS SITUATION MAKE YOU THINK OF YOUR GRANDMOTHER? WAS THERE A SPECIAL TIME WHEN YOUR GRANDMOTHER SAID THIS TO YOU? IF SO DESCRIBE IT.

=Climax=

About two hours later it was time for dinner, "Sweetie, it is time to eat!" my mom yelled up to my room.

"Okay," I whispered. But I said it so softly, I could barely hear myself.

It past about two minutes and I heard again only from my dad this time, "It's dinner time, come join us!"

"Okay dad, I'll be right down!" I replied. Then, I did not dawdle to go down. I went right away. When, I got down to the pretty, colorful, and decorated kitchen, the table was already set. "What's for dinner?" I asked.

My mom answered, "Pea's, pears, pineapple, pasta, and pepperoni pizza."

I was stunned, "You would put on a lot of weight if you ate everything on the menu."

"Yes you would," my dad butted in. "But eat your heart out anyway."

"He, he, ha, ha," I laughed.

We all sat down for dinner at the tan table, and we ravenously ate half the meal. My sister went to the mall with her friend, so, it was just my parents and me. Then, my parents said they had a special announcement. It was that since it was July, Jessica was going to college in one month. I angrily, stomped upstairs hysterically crying. I ran up the hardwood floors and slammed the door into my room. My mom ran upstairs right after me. "Oh, so this is what all the craziness was about! You don't want your sister to go away for college. That is so sweet, but you know she has to. She will visit a lot! Come back down to finish dinner, and we will discuss it down stairs." I quickly shook my head, and my hair swung around onto my face. So she stayed with me and talked about things that would make me feel better for about a half-hour. Then she finally left the room. I was hoping that she wouldn't tell anybody, but she did exactly the opposite. She told everyone.

It had now passed a month, and it was time for Jessica to go to college. I was devastated. All her different colored bags were packed sitting on the hardwood floor in the pretty living room, stuffed to the top, ready to go with Jessica to wherever she was to go. That is the exact opposite of where I want her to go. I wanted her to stay right here. But instead she did what she had to do. Just ignore my sadness, and do what she really desires to do.

HOW DID YOU WALK DOWN THE STAIRS TO THE KITCHEN? WHAT DID THE KITCHEN LOOK LIKE? HOW DID DINNER APPEAR? CAN YOU ADD MORE DESCRIPTIVE DETAILS?

=Falling Action= My sister went onto college. She went to a gorgeous school. It was fresh and crisp in the air all the time. However, at the time it did not seem so pretty to me for a while, since I didn't want her to go. It seemed like an awful prison that took my sister away for a certain amount of time. I was miserable for a while because I was really lonely. I wasn't doing poorly on tests, and I wasn't getting bad grades. I actually had straight A's. But, I was worried they would drop. Then, my mom told me that I could call my siblings whenever I wanted to. I felt so much better and relieved after that because if I needed help with anything someone could explain it to me over the phone.

I was getting good grades, but that didn't help my social life. I was like an only child, which caused me to be lonely and bored. In addition to that, my sister and brother's rooms were empty. There was no one in it! That made it worse because when I saw it, I cringed from the mental pain of almost losing them. But everyone assured me that I could have a lot of play dates, and my brother and sister would visit very often. That is what bothered me the most about my sister going to college, so that was great to hear.

"Briiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!" The phone rang. I quickly picked up the black and gray phone and answered it. It was Jessica!

"Hello?" I asked into the phone.

There was a sweet answer from my sister, "Hi!"

"When are you coming home?"

"Ummmm..., I forget. I told mom tomorrow- no, wait, Thursday. Wait, hold on it is on the tip of my tongue. Oh yeah, that's right! I'm coming home..."

Then I heard the door open I looked back. Jessica ran into the house and excitedly said, "...now!" My heart was palpitating. I was more than happy. I ran up and hugged her so hard. I was ecstatic. Then you heard me scream.

GREAT USE OF DIALOGUE. WHAT DID YOU DO WHEN YOU SAW YOUR SISTER? EXPLAIN IT USING ACTION WORDS.

=Resolution= It was a good scream though. I was so happy! I yelled, "You're home!"

Jessica said, "It's so great to see you! Did I shock you?"

"Yes! I had no idea you were coming! I missed you so much! I can't believe you are here, I thought the next time I would see you is Christmas."

"Well, here I am! And it is just a normal weekend. I'm planning on visiting more often, because I miss you too."

There she was, standing in my living room. It was my same old sister, with her same old bright smile, and same old face. We had a great night, and it got only better from there. She told me that she was staying for the weekend. I was ecstatic.

Then, Jessica and I went up to my room, to watch T.V. "Click!" I turned the T.V. on with the bumpy remote.

The show sang, "a, ba, cha, da, fa, ha, ka, la, ma, pa, ra, sa, ta, ya, and za!" We were happily watching our favorite T.V. show American Idol. They were doing a special warm-up. We always watched this together, so we wanted to keep the tradition going. We did a lot, like talk about secret things, playing together, a lot more. Jessica and I had so much fun! I am not as sad now because I understand that she has to go to college. I also call her, invite my friends over, and she visits almost every weekend. I still go up to my room and think for a while, but it is not about the same things. When, she left I thought to myself over and over, "Home is where the heart is, home is where the heart is, home is where the heart is, home is where the heart is," Once my sister walked through the door, I felt like I have never felt like before. It was in a good way. I realized, that home is really where the heart is!

WHAT DID YOU DO DURING THE NIGHT THAT MADE IT SO GREAT? DID YOU TELL YOUR SISTER THAT YOU MISSED HER AND HOW UPSET THAT YOU WERE WHEN SHE LEFT? WHY DID YOU REALIZE TAHT HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS?