Creative Writing for Teens OR: What to write if you want a session with your councilor

Yes Ladies and Gentleman, yours truly received a summons to the counseling office, for a creative writing piece I wrote as a Sophomore in High School. They thought I had some relationship or emotional expression issues. I don't really remember it all, since I 'zoned out' after the first 5 minutes. All I heard was ' blah blah blah'. As I read it now, I can't believe the teacher actually graded it as s B+, even though he thought I should seek counseling. It is pretty lame. I was cleaning out some OLD boxes today, and thought I would share the laugh with you. Caution: cheesy sophomoric ideas ahead. Please keep in mind this was written wayyyy back in the late 80's. You have been warned.

Revenge is a dish best served 'HOT'

It was unusually hot for May. The warm breeze bathed her face as she sped along the highway. Her dark sunglasses matched her long dark hair that was flowing in the current of air created by the open t-tops and lowered windows. Ever since she had passed her driving exam, she had somehow felt content and self confident.

The car itself had been a sixteenth birthday present. She remembered the day her mother had taken her to the car lot as vividly as if it were yesterday. They were looking for a 'nice, safe car that doesn't cost much'. In other words, an air craft carrier type car with a triangle painted on the roof, emblazoned with the words 'Helicopters and UFOs land here'. To her ultimate surprise, the result was a candy-apple red 4 year old Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am, complete with a v-8 engine, rear spoiler and t-tops. She had even ordered personalized plates. ' ENFUEGO ' (On Fire in Spanish.) Just thinking about sitting behind the wheel of the car made her smile contentedly.

A voice cut sharply into her daydreams. It seemed to be calling her name.

'Trena! Trena, have you heard one single word that I have said in the past ten minutes? Or have you been off in 'La-la Land' again? NOT a great place to be when you are driving!'

Trena glanced sharply at her friend of five years. 'I'm really sorry,Kay! It's just that...'

'She's been thinking about that idiot Trent Reyes again.' Sandra finished the sentence for her.

'How well they knew her!' Trena thought to herself. Out loud she replied sarcastically, 'How could you tell?'

Kay started laughing. 'Perhaps it's just that you've got a death grip on that steering wheel! Spare it's poor life, why don't you. It's not Trent,you know. All you have to do is relax a little.'

Relax. What an easy thing to say. She faintly heard Kay and Sandra talking again. Relax. Hadn't Trent said the very same thing to her?

'Have you found your dress yet?' Kays voice again cut sharply into her reverie.

'Huh? What dress?'

Kay and Sandra looked at each other with a mixture of concern and confusion written on their faces. 'For the prom, of course!'

'Oh yeah, that.' she replied casually. 'No, I haven't even bothered to look yet.'

The Senior Prom. She had forgotten all about it. Why she was going was a mystery to her. Her friends had told her that the change of scenery would do her good. Two months of moping around after her break-up with Trent was enough. She sighed, half out of resignation, and half out of annoyance. Why did their relationship have to end up this way?

They were at it again, their voices ringing in her ear. 'Did you hear how an arsonist burned the Reyes' store?' Lourdes was saying.'Just last night! Trent is just devastated!'

Kay and Sandras answers were equally annoying. 'Nah-ah! Really? You don't say?'

The thought of Trent devastated amused Trena to no end.

'Definately an arsonist!' Lourdes stated matter of factly. 'The fire started in more than TEN different places!'

'Hmmm...' Trena murmured. 'Really, honest to God devastated?' As sudden as a summer storm, Trena grew calm. She now knew the answer to her problem. It came to her just like that. She could get even with Trent and closure would be hers.

Later that night , after she had dropped her friends off, Trena drove around aimlessly. She soon found herself in front of Trent's house. She parked and walked over to stand in front of his car. How he loved that Mustang. More than he had ever loved her. He used to make sure her shoes were clean before she got in. She smiled as a few pleasant memories flit quickly through her mind. She knew that now was the time.

She turned again, and walked briskly to her car. She pulled a can of gasoline and a book of matches from the trunk area of her car. Slowly, methodically, she poured the combustible liquid over Trent's precious car. Just as she had done to the store. Lighting the first match was incredibly easy...

The next day, her friends chattering did not annoy her. 'Did you hear?' Lourdes' voice was fairly squeaking with excitement. 'The arsonist struck again and gutted Trent's car! Trent went totally off the deep end. Drinking all night. He's been wasted since about 2am this morning. He...' She stopped speaking as she noticed Kay and Sandra staring strangely at their friend. Lourdes turned to face Trena. 'Trena.' she began. 'TRENA! Why are you smiling like that?'