Triathlon The loud blow of a teacher's whistle echoed around the pool area, beginning the event. I watched other girl in the slow lane, Verena (who is actually a year older then me but isn't particularly good at sports anyway), set off at a slow breast stroke. I was itching to dive in too, so when Mrs Reese declared "Go!" to me, my body sprang into action. It was a relief to feel the cold, refreshing water sing over my small body, but I knew I had to start swimming if I had any hope of finishing. Quick as anything, I pulled myself towards the side, gripped the bar with my hands and pushed my feet into the side. I then kicked out and broke into front crawl. I was soon directly behind Verena, and could feel her feet brushing across my neck and chest. I swam to one side of her in silence, quickly dodging her breaststroke hands. When we both reached the end of our third length, I asked delicately "Do you want me to go in front?" She gave a nod in reply, so I turned to continue the tiresome job I had been told to do - swimming ten lengths of this wretched pool. Time passed quickly and painfully, and before I knew it I was yanking my navy blue PE shorts and a hideous canary yellow vest over my swimming costume in the girls' changing room. Shortly after tugging my trainers into submission, I was dashing down the path to the hard courts, where I had laid my bike. Another teacher was barking at students who had got on their bikes before putting on their helmets, but I knew better than to stand under my english teacher's watchful glare. After hearing the familiar click of my helmet's chin strap, I was settled on my bike and cycling towards the woods and a slow and steady pace. "Wait for me!" came the desperate voice of Verena. I slowed down for a brief moment, until I could see her coming up behind me. "Race you!" I giggled childishly, as adrenaline took over me and I felt myself radically speed up. About twenty minutes later, my heart was racing as I wheeled my bike back to the courts. I grinned at the thought if having one more task left in this tedious series of events. Granted, I did have to run sixteen hundred meters, but at least it was partially over. I could hear excited cheers from my friends who were already finished (most had been in relay teams, so weren't doing all three events), spurring me on, the lucky devils. I had to do this; it was a bit late of give up, not that I'd ever been able to. After about five minutes of relentless jogging, I could barely breathe, let alone move any distance. I was about to give in, until my brother gave me hope. "Stop now!" he grinned stupidly. "There's no hope! All is lost!" "Shut up William," I sighed, laughing now. But, to my surprise, next time I came round the track (for the umpteenth time, I would like to add), William was holding out a small plastic cup. "Take it." he smiled. So I did. I felt the cool, clear liquid revitalise my cracked lips, filling every bone, vein and artery in my body with refreshing hope as I sprinted the last few meters across the line. I had done it. Standing on that podium with a bronze medal around my neck made that suffering even more worthwhile. around my neck made the suffering even more worthwhile.dndkdkaksjd

For Newtown A group of children died today. A group of families cried today. Innocent lives, cruelly taken, Unsuspecting people gone. Lying in wait, nervously shaking, One bullet fired, left with none. A group of children died today. A group of families cried today. Many families sent their child Into school - a normal day. A wicked young man, driven wild, Damaged that hope in an unspeakable way. A group of children died today. A group of families cried today.

Wait. Wait. That one word could have saved a #life. The #life of my best friend, whom I had known since as long as I could remember, and just one simple word could have saved her. Wait. Because if I had said that one word, she wouldn't have kept running. And if she hadn't kept running, she would have seen the car. And if she had seen the car, she would have stopped. And if she had stopped, the car wouldn't have hit her. And if the car hadn't hit her... I might have seen her again. Wait. The word echoes over and over again in my head, creating a gently pulse that fills my whole body with sorrow. Looking before me, I see the small marble arc there, with three dreaded letters engraved into it, inked in gold. RIP. Wait. No, stop it! I can't, and won't wait. Wait for this to end. Gingerly, I reach for the blade in my deep dress pockets. I delicately trace the pattern round my heart with the tip, letting a little blood loose. No, wait! What? Who's saying that? "I am." I turn around slowly, and there she is. Decked in white, with thick fluffy wings out behind her. Her long, curly hair flows like a golden fountain like a halo around her head. A real halo take pride of place, glinting in the sunlight. "How? What-?" "Just, wait." I close my eyes, unable to think, but remember the dear friend I am looking at and see nothing when they're open again. One change, though. I single word now joins the grim initials on the headstone. Wait.

Playing With Fire "No!" cried the King, as another building burst into flames. "Stop! You can have the kingdom!" "Too late," grinned the Fire Master devilishly. "It's ours anyway." It is true when people say that history repeats itself. Ten years beforehand, the Fire Dwellers had attempted to burn the kingdom down. However, the previous King was selfish and said they could immediately inherit the kingdom in ten years, seeing as he knew he'd be dead by then, so would have so need to worry. His assumption was correct. However, his son was furious that the land wasn't rightly his, and refused to give up the throne; The Fire Dwellers were outraged and declared war that very day. Like I said; History really can repeat itself. **** "Now, children," muttered a man, in an attempt to sound reassuring. "We'll be fine, you'll see." This was just one of the many families who was suffering due to the selfish greed of their royals. The fire was drawing in, leaving the group clustered in a corner, as the flames blocked up any way of escape. Although the remaining family members did not know this, the Mother of the family was in fact already dead, sprinting manically through the house to find her missing baby. The father attempted more comforting words, but hislungs were so full of smog and smoke that soon enough he too had collapsed, joining his baby and beloved wife. "What do we do now?" cried one boy in fear. "I don't know!" shouted his twin. Then he added: "I think mother and father got out!" "We have to look for them!" the youngest girl exclaimed. "We'll go," said one of the twins nobly to his little sister, not realising what a horrible decision he had made. "It's too dangerous for you." They ran into he roaring fire, leaving the girl alone. Just for moment, the girl considered that her brothers may have escaped, but her hopes were crushed by two sickening screams. At this point, she was surrounded by fire. The girl closed her eyes. Waiting impatiently for death to greet her, but opened the when nothing happened. The flames were licking her skin, leaving no burns. She could breathe. She liked the feeling, with the fire tickling her arms like this. In fact, if she hasn't been grieving over the loss of her family, she might have enjoyed it. She stepped outside, to see the village in chaos. The very same place this girl had grown up was being patrolled by Fire Dwellers, all of who, we're prepared to set any form of #life alight. Nothing was safe, Except her. The girl watched as hundreds of eyes gazed backa t her. Flaming red Fire Dwellers' eyes. Two of which belonged to the Fire Master. "WHAT?!" he exclaimed, his eyes ablaze. "Who are you-? How did you-?" then, at his minions: "She can't live, Kill her!" All the fire dwellers ran at her, arms and legs akimbo, deftly following their master's orders. As they drew ever closer in, thoughts raced through the child's mind. What is last time was a one-off? A dream even? Has she imagined it? Surely her fate was met. They stopped. They collapsed. Likewise the Fire Master. Even the fire itself was out. The girl stood there, amongst the burnt buildings, thinking about what had just happened. Had she really been playing with fire?

Sonnet #155 - Much Ado Sweet Benedick, how I long for thee, I am hereby lovesick at Cupid's will. Sitting here, wishing for thy company, Lying to young Hero, that I am quite ill. Lovers before, now the story retold, We argued once, now that may be true, I am here, waiting, as our plot unfolds; A tale of two hearts - that's me, and you too. Thinking of thou, my head is a-aching. Scribbling down pointless words and jottings, As I write this, my hand is sh-sh-shaking, Oh, look now! My page - covered in blottings! A love struck fool? Yes that may be true, Benedick, seignior, how I do love you. N.B. A sonnet is a #poem with fourteen lines - three verses and one rhyming couplet. Shakespeare famously wrote 154 of them (that have been discovered), so I've written his 155th, based on his play, Much Ado About Nothing.