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You’re my deck of cards; I’m just missing the ace.

Katherine Hahn

Cover Image courtesy of Microsoft Word Clip Art

Smelley Reads Publishing Inc. Huntsville, AR 72740

May 10, 2013

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To my dear friend~ for you inspired me to tell

my stories and now they shall be told.

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Table of Contents Page 5 Part One: 0-1-0-8 Page 6 Part One Bio Sketch Page 7 Story #1: L is for the way you look at me. Page 8 Story #2: Thoughts off, Dreams on Page 9 Story #3: Like you stole mine Page 10 Story #4: Goodbye to myself Page 11 Story #5: Prince Charming Page 12 Part Two: It’s not about the makeup; it’s about the girl behind it all. Page 13 Part Two Bio Sketch Page 14 Poem #1: Like fighting with fire, you’ll just get burnt Page 15 Poem #2: You’re my deck of cards; I’m just missing the ace Page 16 Poem #3: Trapped in a cage bug enough for more than just two Page 17 Poem #4: My world would be cold Page 18 Poem #5: That old baggy sweater Page 19 Part Three: Not the sparkly ones, the cannibalistic ones. Page 20 Part Three Bio Sketch Page 21 Story #1: Venti Blonde

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Part One:

0-1-0-8

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Part One:

This selection of short stories is a collection of works that represent open-ended writing prompts and how I respond to them. They reflect who I am as an author and my opinions on things around me. These writings also reflect the idea that I can isolate myself when I write and that’s how I write. I get lost in my passion for writing. My passion is something I would love to share with you, the reader.

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Story #1: L is for the way you look

at me.

The artistic problems of love are quite immense. Many people, teens, children, adults, every age group, throws the word love around. Almost like it’s the word

“the.” It’s not though. It’s not love that we all hate; it’s the things surrounding love. Love is not rejection or people not wanting to be friends with you. It’s not loss or grief. Countless people scream, “I hate love!” or “Love is stupid!” when it’s really not love that we hate. They don’t understand what love truly is. Love is a feeling. People, teens mostly, often feel as though no one loves them because they are being rejected or have been, when they are out casted, bullied, abused, or looked

down upon by society. Love is what holds us together though. Love is the butterflies we get around that special someone. Love is what you feel when you are

comforted. All those other things, those aren’t love. Love brings us all together. It doesn’t push apart. It mends us when we are broken. Love is the only permanent

thing uniting. And with love, we are all one and we are all the same.

Credit: Cole, Nat King. "L.O.V.E." Nat King Cole. Capitol Records, 1990. MP3.

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Story #2: Thoughts Off, Dreams On

The leaves crackled and crunched onto the cold, frosty ground. Her feet slowly cascaded across the boulevard. She seemed to just glide across the road. Every one turned to look at her; she was nonchalant as they watched her every

move. Her facial expressions let nothing on as she kept it all on the inside. The rain poured down around her. The neighborhood was soaked, rain dripping down all the window panes. She loved the rain. For it felt to her as if the world could prosper

longer.

. . .

As though looking at the picture, she felt as if she was living the fairytale. She put herself into the drawing. Her imagination led her to a point of no return,

and the state of dreaming had cast itself over her thoughts until she had no control left over her mind. She sat alone waiting for something to happen. She was lost,

physically and emotionally. Her life was full of grotesque debris as she tried to clean it up. Some people had it made. They never had to work a day in her lives, whereas she worked for everyone in her family. Some people were just born with it all. She

wasn’t. Some could just blink and become famous while others could just be born and make it big. She didn’t understand how spontaneous these moments could get or

why they even happened. Maybe they were all a coincidence. Maybe they were all lucky. But as she had previously learned, you don’t get lucky twice.

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Story #3: Like you stole mine

From the back of the truck, I could see everything. The stars glistened as our music poured out it’s notes creating rhythm that, like us, was perfect. We lay in the

bed of the truck, quiet as mice. The bass was cranked up. The riff heard over the acoustics of the guitar. These were the moments I lived for. This was made life

worth living. And spending them with you, made them even better. It was just you and I, together forever without a problem. We were invincible. We stood against the

world. The next song came on. It was our song. Our favorite line came on, making you lean in as I rolled over and smiled. As our foreheads touched, you’re phone

beeped. I leaned up thinking it was your mom and grabbed it to inform you and turn it off. I typed in the passcode, 0-1-0-8. It came so easy. Who would’ve known the next thing would have been so hard? I clicked on your messages app opening them

up. That’s when I saw them, I saw the little I love yous and sweet nothings between you and her. I was jealous. She had always been better. Little had I known that you were with her, using me for your advantage. She had stolen your heart from first

sight. She had stolen it so easily. Just like you stole mine.

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Story #4: Goodbye to myself

I felt my heart pound. This was the moment we were waiting for, me more

than you. You stood there as if nothing was happening. Today was the day. You were going to change today. A vampire, werewolf, wizard, dark lord, vampire prince… all were options we had. You hadn’t decided, but given your family’s history you would

probably be a vampire prince. Your family was quite royal in that dimension. Why you didn’t care, I could never figure out. You were a mystery to me. I could never figure out why our hearts beat in rhythm or why you could persuade anyone who stepped into your path. I couldn’t figure out why your hazel eyes sparkled and sometimes changed colors with you mood. It was because you were born from vampires. You had yet to be claimed, but it was destined. Now as we stood here, I watched your eyes change from hazel to green. I missed your hazel eyes. The warm champagne made me feel okay, made me feel like you were you. Then seeing my unsteadiness, they changed again, back to hazel. You were constantly changing. I would have to

make a change and give you up today. But I couldn’t-I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. I knew that I should tell you goodbye before they came to get you. So standing in

that ratty old train station, I leaned up and kissed you. I sent you off with tears in my eyes. I had had to say goodbye. And when you left, I sent my heart with you.

Saying goodbye to myself.

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Story #5: Prince Charming

The wind blew around us as we stood in the cold, rainy outside. You held me close as if we would have no tomorrow. You and I both knew that we

wouldn’t. We would be found tonight. We couldn’t keep running. We were out of it all. You stood in front of me and I placed my hand on your heart. Your hand

came down and wiped the tears from my eyes as you whispered,”Shhh.” You said this to calm me, but really it was to keep us hidden. We

had been gone for six months. The day I turned eighteen, you left and I left. We left. I packed my bags into your dark blue charger and off we went. Now it was dark and February. We had no hope. You were all I had and vice versa

for you. The sirens started wailing. You pulled me closer, if possible, as I started bawling. I was going to be arrested and so were you. I tried to say

my final goodbyes as I could, but I could barely manage. I leaned up and kissed you. You leaned down and kissed me. In that moment, you were all that

troubled me. You and never getting to see you again. The police and sirens didn’t scare me. I just wanted you to live every dream. Even all the ones from

when you were little. The ones about being and astronaut or being Batman. Especially the one about being Prince Charming for me, Cinderella.

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Part `` Two:

“It’s not about the makeup it’s about the girl behind it all.”

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Part Two:

This section is my poetry, written when I was feeling the lowest or the highest. My feelings are very well expressed in these poems and they

describe who I am as a person. I write my feeling and this collection holds them all. You may be able to grasp the concept I am getting across in these poems, yet you may not understand the true meaning. It all has sentimental value. My emotions are pure in raw in these work. And you, the reader, now gets a clear look into my emotions and how I grasp the world around me as

you should take ahold of yours.

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Poem #1: Like fighting with fire, you’ll just get burnt.

Look into their scarlet eyes. All you can see is fiery lies.

None of them fit together as one. Yet, you know the battle is over and they have won.

You try to show them, you really do. But you can’t because they don’t care about who is really you.

You can’t fight back; you’ll only get hurt. Like fighting with fire, you’ll just get burnt.

So stand out and smile, Give them a good show.

Because after all, you can’t afford to be the one with your head hung low.

Shine on, shine on, and shine on real bright. Astound them all with your true light.

You could light up the sky if you wanted to. For you could light up my world, because you are you.

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Poem #2: You’re my deck of cards; I’m just missing the ace.

No door, just bricks, the walls closing in.

I’m scared. I’m finished waiting for truth in this lie.

But now, it’s much too late to decide. IT is going to hurt for I know it will.

Yet, I know that you just got your fill. Your fill of all the courage, your fill of all the fear,

And your fill of all the emotions that are much too near. Your footsteps are growing closer, also growing louder.

You haven’t even been away for even half an hour. My trembles as you walk towards me.

Until eventually, you’re all that I can see. You’re beautiful, but I can’t see your face.

You’re my deck of cards; I’m just missing the ace. You could be worth something, but without it, you’re not.

All though I find you gorgeous, all the others just think you’re hot. My thoughts are lost as you come in too close.

Then, you whisper, “Come On, give it up. This dream was all a hoax.

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Poem #3: Trapped in a cage big enough for more than just

two

It’s not about the makeup; it’s about the girl behind it all. She was too young to care, but too old to fall.

She was trapped in a cage big enough for more than just two. She was trapped in a cage, and she was trapped in there with you.

I don’t know how it happened, or where to start. All I know is that now I’m vulnerable and left with just a broken heart.

It cracked down the middle at least that how it feels. Now, I’m running, running away on two wheels.

Tears are running down. I think I’m almost out.

Why can’t you see? That you were the one for me?

I’m torn and I’m scarred from all the broken pieces. All you truly are is cruel and misleading.

You knocked me down and kept me there. You knocked me down, and you didn’t even care.

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Poem #4: My world would be cold

I open my eyes, and there you stand. Waiting for me, while reaching out your hands.

The rain pours down and it’s dripping fast. While time speeds by, making moments the past.

I’d be lost without you, for you are my all. All I could ever do is silently fall.

But you are there, and you let me know, That without you my world would be cold. You are my sun, my stars, and my sky. You, my love, are the apple of my eye.

We stand together. Together forever.

At least that’s what we say. We mean when we say it, even though we say it every day.

You bring me meaning and new directions to follow. Without you, my heart would be ice cold and hollow. But it’s not, my heart is full and happy and free. Because you, yes, you, are the best part of me.

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Poem #5: That old, baggy sweater

If I could stop time, I would do it for you. I would do it for you and for me too.

I would fix all of the mistakes and all the horrible lies. I would fix the pain and sadness hidden in your eyes.

The sadness in your eyes engulfs me. Why can’t you be happy like the birds and the bees?

The sun shines bright on a hot summer day. But as happiness nears you, you just run away.

You won’t let anyone make you better. But they can’t see the cuts under that old, baggy sweater.

It hides all those cuts and scabs and bruises. Even when your happiness is there, it backs down and refuses.

I wish I could fix it I really do. And I’d do it too, if only I could stop time for me and you.

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Part Three:

“Not the sparkly ones, the cannibalistic ones.”

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Part Three:

This section is one story. It is dedicated to one special person, Brock Israel. He inspired me to write this story. I plan to publish this novel one day, and

this is just the beginning of a long story that is yet to come. I plan to continue writing on this and publish it as my first novel when I get older. He

gave me the idea for it and helped me through the rough patches with adding detail. I dedicate this part to him and I hope you, the reader, get intrigued enough to buy this novel when I grow up. Please stay interested and please

enjoy!

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Story #1: Venti Blonde

Prologue At one point in time, a council of vampires was formed. No, not

the sparkly ones, the cannibalistic ones. They were to make a set of laws for the vampire race to follow.

RULE ONE: No vampire can mate with a mortal. RULE TWO: You must not change a mortal into a vampire; if even told,

the mortal will have seventy-two hours until The Men capture them. RULE THREE; If a mortal is changed, their fate will be decided by their

true nature. If born into vampirism, the fate will match the parent’s fate. RULE FOUR: If the mortal is truly evil, all mortals changed by that

vampire later on will be evil, and vice versa for good.

These laws were exceptionally challenging to follow, yet they were expected to be followed by everyone in the vampire race. No one dared to break them. For no one knew the consequences of the future, or if they

would even have one.

Chapter One Aiden hadn’t been born a vampire. He had been changed. He had changed

at the very difficult age of twelve. And now, being seventeen, he realized this. He was changed by The Men. He still remembered that day as if it was

yesterday because in vampire time, it was. He had only been found by The Men because Garret, Aiden’s best friend since Kindergarten, had told him. They were best friends. They knew each other in and out. They knew each other

more than they knew themselves. Only thing Aiden didn’t know was that Garret had been born a vampire. He had had a mutation and ended up as one.

Somewhere along the family line, Garret’s family had been changed. It slowly died out, yet it was still in the blood. He had gotten half from his dad and

mom. It was two recessives forming a bad combination. One night over I.M., Aiden kept pressuring Garret to tell him what he had been hiding lately.

Garret succumbed to peer pressure and told him. From that point on, Aiden had become obsessed with vampires and their civilization. Only seventy-two hours later, and he would be captured and tortured as he became one. He no

longer had to beg Garret to tell him this secret. He had secrets of his own to keep. Aiden finally escaped the wrath of The Men. He was free. He made it out alive, most don’t. He had beaten the odds of being evil. He had already beat the odds once, back when he was twelve, so now, as seventeen, he wondered if he

could beat the odds again.

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Chapter Two It was a cold, crisp, windy October night. It was football season.

It was football night. The whole town went to the game that night. They all packed into the small bleachers leaving Rylan and Aiden alone. Living in a small

town all their lives, they had gone to every hometown football game since they had been in the womb. Tonight would be no exception. Tonight was the

rivalry football game and despite having the sniffles Rylan still came to show her support. They stood on the side of the field behind the home team’s end zone. They watched the quarterback throw the football to the wide receiver as a chilly breeze swept through. Rylan shivered in the wind. Aiden took off his varsity jacket and gave it to Rylan, for he never was affected by the

temperature. As she snuggled up to his 5 foot 10 inch body, the wide receiver ran the ball into the end zone for a tying touchdown. The score was now tied and it was up to the kicker to make the point to win. This could be the first rivalry game they had lost since 1987. She looked up at Aiden; he had to quit football for obvious reasons, due to his vampirism. He could have eaten them

alive and he knew that he really would if he had lost control. He had learned to control himself around Rylan. She was the only one he could ever be around and not snap her neck in half and suck her blood. The team had lost their quarterback due to his conditions getting increasing worse and now they

would lose this game. Then, out of the blue, the kicker made the goal. Everyone’s heads had been filled with thoughts of worry about not winning

this game, but now they were at ease. Aiden still stood there worried about something. Rylan couldn’t tell what, yet sooner than later she would find out.

After the game was over, the whole town went down to the annual bonfire. It was held on the quarterback’s farm, giving the teens a place to sneak away and the adults a place to turn their backs as if they

didn’t notice. The only ones not there were Rylan and Aiden. They had followed tradition and walked to the coffee shop. As they walked, Rylan grabbed

Aiden’s hand trying to put him at ease. After a long three mile walk, the couple ended up at the town’s coffee shop. Rylan walked in followed by Aiden. She walked up to the counter following routine and asked for the usual. The

girl turned around. It should have been Analeigh, but it wasn’t. The girl looked exactly like her, yet it wasn’t her. Her blonde hair was in its usual curly,

messy bun and her baby-blue eyes shined in the bright light of the coffee shop. She wore the same uniform, but she herself was different. Rylan ran

out shocked, wondering where Analeigh could be. Maybe she was with Garret. They had been known to sneak out together and as she sat on the curb

worried and crying, Aiden ordered his usual, a tall mocha frappe, and her usual, a Venti blonde with two Splenda, an inch of skim milk, and just a dash of peppermint creamer. And as he took it out, the coffee was perfect, but he

knew Rylan must be told the secret and her world would never be as perfect as it had already been.

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Chapter Three Garret couldn’t stop pacing. He had been waiting on Analeigh for

over four days. He had messed up-he had told her the secret. She had been captured by The Men. He couldn’t bring himself to tell Rylan and he knew that Aiden had already had his suspicions. He had stayed home trying to play it off with the fact that him and Analeigh were together alone. He wanted to save

her. He knew she was trapped. He wanted to change it. He had told her on Sunday night on their date. They had gone out to go eat dinner that night and he just let it slip. She had been a little scared at first, trapped in his dark blue Charger. He could remember what she had been wearing the last time he saw her. He could remember the last time she touched his lips, and if she turned

dark like the others, it would be the very last. He could remember the way she smelled and the way she smiled. He remembered the first time he had met

her and the first date they had had. He remembered the way her blonde curly hair had always been fixed. It all kept playing over and over in his mind. She

had changed along with him over the course of the last two years, only changing to fit each other better. She had changed him into a better person,

keeping him from hurting to many mortals. He had changed. She had changed. But now, all he wished to change was her fate.

Analeigh was trapped waiting for her fate to be decided. She had been captured and held hostage for what seemed like three years. She had no contact with the outside world and she couldn’t let Garret save her. She blamed herself for the actions. She had asked why they had to abruptly leave the restaurant simply because he could sense someone was hurt. She

was told by The Men that she would be evil. Garret had told her she could beat the odds. She thought this continuously as she walked to the scale that she

would be weighed on. She was going to be weighed on true nature, not weight. She was sure that if Garret believed she could win the battle, she would. He

wouldn’t lie. He would only tell her truth. He said that when she stepped on the scale the needle would go good and then bad but finally would stop where it needed to. So, as she stepped on the scale in the cold, dark brick room, she reminded herself of this. She watched the needle go good, and then go bad,

then it finally rested in the true spot.

To Be Continued…