Teen Zine

Spring

2013

Table of Contents

Cover – Sierra Divenere

Imaginary Frenemies – Taylor Bradley

Rihanna – Anna Wilson

Waken – Anna Wilson

Cheetos – Taylor Bradley

Back Cover – Anna Wilson

Imaginary Frenemies By Taylor Bradley

INTRO

As a child, did you every have an imaginary friend? Someone who was there for you when no one else was? Of course you did. Almost everyone did at some time. But eventually, you grow up, and make new friends. Soon, your imaginary friend is forgotten. Locked away somewhere in the back of your brain. But did you ever wonder what happens to them?

“MOLLY, LOOK!” shouted Debby, the ditzy cheerleader at Clark High school. “There he is! Andrew Wolf,” she swooned.

“Deb, seriously,” Molly snapped. “You have to stop doing that every time my boyfriend walks by. It’s embarrassing.” “Sorry. It’s just…you and him. Him and you. Meeting like this. It’s so romantic!” “Romantic? Debby, we meet up every day after school! Remember?” “I know. But, you two are so right together. Besides, it’s not every day that a girl gets to date the captain of the

football team. Not to mention the hottest guy in Clark High!” “It’s been every day since 7 months ago.” “Has it been that long already? It seems like just yesterday you two bumped into each other in the hall. And he was

like ‘Hi.’ And you were like ‘Hi’. And then he was like ‘You’re cute’. And you were all ‘You think?’ And finally he said ‘Doing anything Friday night?’ And the rest, dear Molly, is history.”

Molly looked confused. “Okay,” she said. “How can you remember that, but not what you ate for breakfast this morning?”

“I remember this time!” Debby exclaimed. “I had…I had…um…point taken. Oh! Here he comes!” Andrew Wolf was tall, with short, light brown hair, bulging muscles, and green eyes that sparkled in the sunlight.

“Hey, Molly. Debby.” “Hey, Andy. How was practice?” “Same old, same old. Are you aware that Debby’s unconscious?” Molly looked down to see Debby sprawled on the

ground. “She does that sometimes. I’ll go see if the nurse is still here,” Molly said, slightly embarrassed. Andrew grabbed her hand. “I’m sure she’ll be fine.” “But…” “Come on,” Andrew persisted, walking her to the street corner. “So, Molly…I was wondering….” Andrew stuttered. “Yeah, Andy?” Sweat began to glide down Andrew’s forehead. “Would you want to…get some frozen yogurt later?” “Sure, I’d love to,” Molly said. “Great! I’ll pick you up around 7 then.” He quickly kissed her on the cheek before walking up his driveway.

…

The clock in Molly’s room read 6:59. Andrew would be arriving any minute. Molly was frantically brushing her hair when the doorbell rang. She looked at the clock. “7pm exactly. Oh, Andy, you’re so punctual.” She ran downstairs and threw open the front door. “Hey, Andy. Ready to- Andy?” Molly stared at the boy standing on her front porch. He was the same height as Andrew. Appeared to be the same age. He had the same eye color. The same sweet smile. But he was different. Andrew’s hair was brown. This boy had black hair, the same shade as his dark clothing. And Andrew always spiked his hair up; while this boy let his bangs gently glide across his forehead. And most of all, his skin wasn’t like anything Molly had ever seen before. It was gray. Really gray! Like a storm cloud!

“Do I…know you?” Molly asked, cautiously. “No. But you will.” He even had the same voice as Andrew! “Who are you?” Molly requested.

“A friend.” he replied. “Wow, you’re even more beautiful than Andrew thought you were.” “How do you know Andy?” “It’s a long story.” The boy smiled. “What do you want?” Molly asked. Before the boy could answer, the real Andrew walked up the porch steps. “Hey, Molly. Sorry I’m late. I had to- WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!? Andrew bellowed, staring at the boy. “Surprised to see me?” The gray boy replied. “I thought I had you locked up!” shouted Andrew. “You mean in that infinite abyss you call a mind?” “How did you get out?” Andrew started to look embarrassed. “What’s wrong, Drew? Afraid I’m getting smarter than you?” the boy said in a smart aleck way. “You can’t be smarter than me! I made you!” Andrew screamed. “QUIET!” Molly yelled. “I wanna know what’s going on and I wanna know now!” Andrew sighed. “Molly, meet my imaginary friend, Ace.” “A pleasure to finally meet you,” Ace said with a wave of his hand. “Drew’s thought so much about you.” “It’s Andrew!” Andrew screamed. “I haven’t been ‘Drew’ sense I was nine!” “You mean the year that you got tired of me? When you left me to rot in your head?!?” Ace snapped. “Anyway, I

didn’t come here to argue. I came for Molly.” “Me? Why? And how did you know my name?” I know everything about you.” Ace told her. Molly caught a glimpse of the devilish grin on Ace’s face before

collapsing to the ground, unconscious. “She fainted!” yelled Andrew “Now look what you did!” “Oh, I’m about to do so much more than that, Drew.” “I told you, it’s Andrew!” he screamed. “Whatever, Drew.”

…

“Whoa. What a weird dream.” Molly said, woozily. She sat up slowly and looked at her watch. 9:30 AM. “Oh no! I

overslept again. I’m late for school!” She got up and looked around. “How did I get in the forest? Darn, I thought I had that sleepwalking problem under control. I better call my mom and tell her where I am. Wait…why am I talking to myself? Great. Now I’m crazy.” She reached in her pocket, only to feel lint “Oh my god.” She patted her other pockets, frantically. “I lost my phone! Mom’s gonna kill me!”

“Looking for something?” That sly voice sounded familiar. Too familiar. She slowly turned around to see- “Oh god.” A gray teen stood in front of her. “You’re not real!” Molly screamed. “You can’t be! You’re gray! I know what it is. I’m still dreaming. That means…I

can do anything I want right now! Watch!” She grabbed the boy by the front of the shirt and kissed him. A few seconds later, she released him and looked around. “What? No! That should have woken me up!” She began to hit herself. “Wake up! Wake up! Please, wake up!”

“Wow. We’ve known each other for two minutes and we’ve already kissed. No wonder Drew likes you,” said the gray boy.

“Drew?” Molly pondered this for a minute. “Wait. There was only one person who called Andy ‘Drew’ and that was…um…”

“Ace,” said the boy. “Your boyfriend’s imaginary friend? Knocked on your door last night? Devilishly handsome? Ring any bells?” Molly stared before shrieking at the top of her lungs. Ace grinded his teeth in agony before placing his gray hands over her mouth. “Stop screaming! What are you trying to do? Make my ears explode?” Molly stared at him. “Okay, I’m gonna move my hands now, okay? Don’t scream.” Ace moved his hands. “Good. See? No harm done. Although my ears are still ringing.”

Molly’s hands trembled. “What are you? Why am I here? What have done with my Andy?” Ace snickered at the ‘my Andy’ bit. “Calm down. I’m not gonna hurt you.” He reached for her hand, but she jerked

away. “Don’t touch me! I swear, if you touch me, Andrew will tear your heart out! Do you even have a heart?!?”

Ace was shocked that she would ask such a question. He placed his hand on his chest. “Of course I do.” he mumbled. By his tone, Molly could tell he was hurt.

“So…you’re real. You’re actually, like, alive,” Molly stammered. “Half alive,” he said. “Imaginary people only have half-lives. We have hearts and feelings, like you. But we don’t

have real brains. Your brain takes knowledge in everywhere you go. You learn every second of your life. While imaginary friends only know what their creator knows. At least, what they want them to know. Also, we don’t have to breathe. Lungs are one of the organs imaginaries don’t have. They’re useless to us. We don’t need food or water to survive, either. Unlike you.”

“If you learned from Andrew, then what made you evil? Surely he didn’t create you to be like this.” “Evil? My dear, just because I kidnapped you does not make me evil.” “Andrew would say otherwise,” Molly snapped. “Where is he?!?” “Drew always did have a jaw made of glass,” Ace said with a smirk. “You beat him up?” “Oh, no no no.” Ace stated. “I only…I guess you could say I punched him hard enough to make him…unconscious.

So…I guess…technically speaking…I did beat him up…slightly.” he said sheepishly. And again, Molly screamed. And again, Ace covered her mouth. “Stop doing that! Geez, a guy punches someone

one time and he’s worse than Jack the Ripper! I’ll say it again. I have no intention of harming you in any way, shape, or form. And I’m not evil. It’s just…I had to meet you. And Andrew would have just gotten in the way. So I had to do it. I’m not a bad guy. Honest.” Ace smiled, shyly; worried that Molly would not believe him.

Molly stared for a moment, as Ace’s smile got bigger and bigger. “I’m calling 911.” She reached in her pocket again, only to pull out lint.

Ace cleared his throat, a bedazzled cell phone clutched in his palm. “You stole my phone?!?” “It’s not my fault you fainted!” he exclaimed. “Oh, yeah? Well why don’t you go open your front door and have a gray half person kidnap you? Then you can try

to act to like it’s perfectly normal! Now give me my phone!” Before Molly could get her phone, Ace extended his hand into the sky, out of her reach. Molly jumped, trying to reach it, while Ace just laughed at her.

“You think this is funny?!?” she screamed. “This is all just a game to you, isn’t it? A joke?!?” “No! You don’t understand!” “Well guess what!” Molly interrupted. “I’m not laughing! I actually have people who care about me! People who are

probably worried sick about me! All because you showed up and kidnapped me! Ripped me away from my loved ones! You sorry piece of scum!” Ace gulped, stiff as a board. “You think you can just show up one day and do whatever you want? Take me hostage? Steal my phone? Knock out my boyfriend?!? Well that’s not gonna happen! Because no matter what you do, no matter what you say, I will find some way to get away from you! And then I’ll tell Andrew all about your little game. And he’ll come looking for you! And you’ll go right back where you came from! And you will never get out again!!!”

They both stood there for a minute, completely silent. Ace was the first to speak. “Well? Go, then!” “What are you talking about, you looney?” Molly snarled. “Look around you! You’re not chained to me! You’re not stuck here! There’s no knife to your neck! You’re free as a

bird!” Ace yelled. “If you wanna leave so badly, just go! Go back to your family! To your boyfriend who misses you ‘oh, so much!’ How long before he gets tired of you? How long before he throws you away, like a worthless piece of trash? I got six years outta the guy! What makes you so special?!?”

Molly’s fury melted away, as she stared into his eyes. His green, piercing eyes. She could feel it. She could feel the pain in those eyes. The hurt. The anger. But there was something else in those eyes. Something he refused to let her see. She just couldn’t place it. She knew that there was more to this. She knew she was missing something.

“Well?” Ace persisted. She had to ask it. She had to ask the question she knew no one had ever asked him. ”But that’s not what you want.

Is it?” Molly inquired. Ace’s negative emotions vanished, and were replaced with confusion and shock. “Well…no.” Ace admitted quietly. “But nobody cares about what I want.” Molly had done it. She’d finally got him to

let her inside. To know why he’d really taken her. Why he’d hurt Andrew. Who he really was. “It’s always ‘Ace, do that. Let’s

do this. Ace do this.’” Ace sat down under a nearby tree, shut his eyes, and ran his hands through his hair. Run. Molly

thought. Run! Quick, while he’s not looking! But her curiosity got the best of her, as she took a seat next to Ace

in the shade. “How does that make you feel, Ace?” she asked. “Who are you? Dr. Phil?!?” “You just looked like you wanted to talk.” “Aren’t you going to leave?” he asked. Molly detected a hint of fear in his voice that time. She began to poke him in

the ribs. “Come on. Let it out. You know you want to.” “I don’t have to talk to you.” he snapped. “Two minutes ago, you said I was ‘scum’, and now you expect me to just

belt out my life story? Are you mental?” “I don’t know. Maybe.” Molly said. “For all I know, this whole thing could just be some wacky hallucination. I could

wake up in a hospital bed with my mother at any minute. Does that sound mental to you?” “Considering that you’re completely awake and this is real, I doubt that will happen,” Ace said. “But you are crazy.” “How so?” Molly asked with a small smile. “How about the fact that you actually believe I’m imaginary?” Ace said. “Most kids stop believing that when they’re

eight or nine. What are you? Fifteen?” “Sixteen,” she stated. “Sophomore year. You are imaginary. Aren’t you?” “No. I’m Drew’s distant cousin from Norway. Twice removed. And the gray skin is a rare medical condition called

‘Gloomitis,’” he said sarcastically. “Yes, I’m imaginary.” “Wait. If you’re imaginary, then how come I can see you?” Molly inquired. “I thought that only the person who made

you could actually see you.” “You watch too much T.V.,” he joked. “People only see me if I want them to. Only you and Drew know I exist. Any

other questions?” “How come you’re gray?” she asked. “Don’t you know your boyfriend’s favorite color?” he said. “Andy’s favorite color is red,” Molly told him. “Geez, you leave for eight years and everything changes,” he mumbled. “Okay, I’ve got another question,” Molly said. “What happens when Andrew gets old and…is no longer living? What

happens to you?” “You’d think something terrible,” he said. “Actually, when an imaginary’s creator dies, the friend is free. They go

wherever they want. Do what they want.” “Well how come I’ve never seen any?” Molly questioned. “Because to you, they’re invisible. We just went over this. Remember?” he said. “Oh, yeah. Sorry.” she said. “So they could be anywhere around me? In my math class? The grocery store?” Molly

gasped. “Sorting through my underwear drawer?!?” “Ooh, I’ll make a note of that.” he joked. Molly punched him in the arm. “Ow! Okay, okay. Forget I said that. If another imaginary friend touches your undies, I’ll take care of it. Unlike you, I

can see every imaginary friend around me. There’s none right now, but you get my point.” he said. Molly sighed. “I’ll just follow you into the ladies room.” he smirked. Molly raised her hand again. “Kidding! I’m kidding,” he said quickly. She lowered her arm. “Imaginary friends are what cause people to suddenly

‘misplace’ their car keys, or ‘lose’ one of their socks. I bet it’s really fun.” They were silent, until Ace said, “Underwear!” as loud as he could and cracked up. “Shut up!” Molly screamed. But she too couldn’t resist laughing. After the two calmed down, Ace’s expression turned serious as he said. “It must be nice. Having a mom. Someone

who cares about you.” “Don’t you have someone like that? Molly asked. “Imaginary. Remember?” he said. “We only have the kid who creates us.” “So you have Andrew to care for you.” “Ha!” Ace said. “That’s a riot! You saw how he treated me when he saw me at your door. No ‘Hi, Ace.’ No ‘Hey, pal.

How ya been?’ Andrew’s the one who stuck me in that wasteland in the first place!”

“Wasteland?” Molly said. “What wasteland?” “Andrew got real friends when he was nine,” Ace explained. “He didn’t need me anymore. So he locked me away in

the back of his mind. Forgot all about me! For eight years I stayed in there. Staring at the wall. Counting dust particles. Listening to him think about football and X-Box. I sat there and listened for all those years. And he never once thought about me! Do you know how crazy you go, just from the sheer loneliness?”

That’s what he was feeling. Molly thought. He’s not some monstrous kidnapper, he’s just

lonely. “So how’d you get out?” Molly asked.

“There are two exits in Drew’s brain. The left and right ear. But the doors to use them were always padlocked!” he said. “Eventually, I got an idea. I told him that I had a hangnail, and he was dumb enough to think up a nail file! Drew never was the sharpest knife in the drawer. Anyway, I used the file to remove the lock. Drew decided to take a nap before your frozen yogurt date. It was too easy. I just opened the door and I was free! By the way, are you aware that you’re dating a boy with excessive ear hair?”

“But why did you come find me?” Molly asked him. “If you heard ‘Molly’s great.’ ‘Molly’s amazing.’ ‘Molly’s the most kind, caring person in the entire world!’ for seven

months straight, wouldn’t you believe it?” Ace asked.

Now I understand. She thought to herself. He wanted someone who would be his friend. Who

would care about him. And with Andy saying all those things about me, he knew it’d be me. “But that’s still no excuse for kidnapping you. That was wrong,” he confessed. “We’ll you had to kidnap me!” Molly said. “If I was in your position, I’d kidnap me too!” Ace couldn’t help but laugh at that. “I’m pretty sure kidnapping yourself is impossible. And that’s coming from a guy

with gray skin.”

Now everything’s adding up. She thought. Outside, he’s a freaky, half-living, gray person.

But inside, he’s just a kid. A lonely, scared little kid. So what’s the best way to cheer up

someone who hasn’t had fun in eight years? “Wanna play a game?” Molly asked. “A game?” Ace beamed. “Sure. What kind of game?”

He’s used to playing with little kids, Molly thought. So… Molly jabbed him in the side with her finger.

She screamed, “Tag! You’re it!” and took off running. She could hear Ace’s feet coming after her as she ran. “Can’t catch me! Can’t catch me!” she yelled over her

shoulder. Suddenly, she couldn’t hear his feet behind her anymore. She spun around to see that nothing was there. Where

was Ace? Had he fallen behind? Molly looked around frantically, when someone tackled her from behind. He knocked her to the ground in a giant hug.

“I thought I lost you.” Ace whispered. “I thought I’d have to be alone again.” Molly saw tears fall from his face. When they hit the ground, they burst into pools of glitter. “What the!” “Imaginaries don’t cry, they glitter,” Ace sobbed. “It’s okay,” Molly consoled, returning the hug. “I won’t leave you alone. I promise. And I don’t break my promises.”

Part 2 The Boy in the Brain

It was night time now. The sky was black, as a fire crackled in front of Molly. Ace had gone to collect more twigs.

Molly gazed up at the stars. “This was one crazy day.” She murmured. “One minute, I’m getting ready for a yogurt date, and the next, I’m being kidnapped by an imaginary person. And to top it off, I’m friends with my captor. I’m gonna need some serious counseling after this.” She curled up under the tree and shut her eyes.

“Enjoying your little camp out?” said a male voice. “Be careful around the fire, Ace,” she replied with her eyes still shut. “Think again,” The voice said.

“What?” Molly opened her eyes and sat up. Ace wasn’t talking to her…Andrew was. “Oh my god!” Molly screeched. “Didn’t think I’d find you?” he asked. “Uh…no. How did you?” she asked him. “Find me, I mean.” Debby appeared behind Andrew. “He bugged your phone during lunch the other day,” she said. “Shut up!” Andrew yelled. “Okay, he didn’t bug your phone,” Debby continued. “He bribed a bunch of nerds to do it for him when you left your

phone at the lunch table. They work fast!” “I said quiet!” Andrew told her. Debby pretended to lock her lips with her fingers. “You what?” Molly screamed. “Calm down,” Andrew soothed. “It’ll all make sense in a minute. Let’s get you home first, okay?” Molly heard footsteps coming from the other direction. “Hey, Molly,” Ace started. “I found some…” Ace stopped as

Andrew approached him with rage filled eyes. “Dang it,” Ace continued. Ace dropped the sticks and turned to run, but Andrew grabbed his arm and yanked him back. “Ow!” Ace said. “That

really hurt!” “So did getting socked in the face,” Andrew hissed through his clenched teeth. He pushed Ace to the ground. “Quit it!” Molly yelled. But she was ignored. “You’re in so much trouble,” Andrew continued. “Andrew, why are you talking to dirt?” Debby piped. “Why are you so brainless?” Andrew mumbled under his breath, glancing at Debby. He turned back to Ace. “Make

her see you.” Ace did nothing. “NOW!!!” Andrew bellowed. Molly had never heard him that loud. She watched as Ace snapped his fingers. But nothing changed. Then she

heard Debby’s high pitched scream. “Ew! It’s gray!” Debby shouted. Molly clapped her hand over Debby’s oversized mouth. “It’s okay.” she whispered. “He’s a friend.” “What the heck were you thinking?” Andrew continued to yell. “Why the heck would you…” Andrew paused as he

watched Ace’s eyes glance at Molly, then back at him. “Oh, don’t tell me,” Andrew laughed. “Did you actually think,” he couldn’t stop laughing at poor Ace. “That she’d actually care…about you?!? Hilarious!” He laughed until his face was red. “Oh, that’s rich! I can’t believe it. How could something as dumb as you, come from a mind like mine?” He was laughing so hard that he had to lean against a tree to stand.

“I fail to see what’s so funny.” Molly criticized. Andrew turned very serious. “Stay out of this,” he told her. “This is between men.” “Half men, actually,” Ace whispered with a fearful tone. “Shut up!” Andrew snapped. “Andy, stop it! Leave him alone,” Molly yelled. “I said stay out of this!” Andrew roared. Andrew had never yelled at her before. Now Molly was afraid, too. “You really don’t have a real brain up there, do you?” Andrew said, turning his attention back to the cowering Ace.

“Did you really think you could pull it off? Really? You escaped your prison, knocked me out, and stole my girlfriend! My most prized possession!”

Possession? Molly thought, her mind buzzing. I thought I was something more. I am more! “You think you can just show up and steal my property?” Andrew continued.

Property? She thought. Now you’re gonna get it. “You’re going right back in my head.” Andrew ordered. “And I will personally make sure that you never get out

again!” “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” Ace screamed. He turned into a small, swirling, purple tornado, and just like

that, he was gone. “There.” Andrew said, tapping his head. “Right back where he belongs.” “Let him go!” Molly yelled. “You can’t just leave him in there!” “Can and am,” Andrew smirked. “Not while I’m around!” she said.

“What are you gonna do Molly?” Andrew mocked. “You and the brainless wonder…against me. A guy with 6 years of football experience, muscles, and total control of you.”

“You do not control me!” Molly screamed, getting closer to Andrew. “I’m not your possession. I’m not your property.” Molly opened her mouth to say more, but she wasn’t sure what to tell him. Memories flooded into her head. She remembered when Andrew laughed at Debby when she tripped over her own foot, and when he snowballed a bunch of first graders. Or when he made Molly tell him the answers to a quiz and let her take the blame when she got caught. She’d been nothing but nice, and he treated her like dirt. Not to mention made fun of Debby. What did she see in him? Then it hit her: She saw nothing. And as of now, I’m not your girlfriend!”

“You’re breaking up with me?” Andrew said. “You’re actually throwing away a seven-month relationship with the most popular guy at Clark High…for a gray person who’s not even a man?!?”

“He’s more of a man that you’ll ever be!” she snapped. “Drama.” Debby commented, airily. “Debby, why don’t you go find some squirrels?” Molly said over her shoulder. “Okay!” Debby ran into the forest. Molly turned back to her now ex-boyfriend. “You selfish, rude, arrogant, sexist, and all around total jerk! What did I

ever see in you? Cause right now, behind those muscles, all I see is nothingness! And to think, I had to get abducted by an imaginary teen, to see what was real!” She screamed. “Now, let him OUT!”

“Not on your life,” Andrew said stubbornly. That’s when Molly hit the ceiling. She shut her eyes tight. She felt her cheeks burn with anger as she raised her

hand, and let it all out in one, swift slap to Andrew’s face. As she did it, she had only one thought in her mind. Nothing else

mattered. I have to get to Ace. She opened her eyes. Surrounding her were glistening blue panels. She wasn’t in the woods anymore. She looked

around. It seemed that she was somehow moving infinitely through space. Molly walked around. It seemed that this place was never ending. “Hello?” she called. “Debby? Where am I?” She took a few more steps before finally seeing a familiar face. Ace was curled up in the corner of the room. One of his arms lay on his knees, while the other was on the shoulder

where Andrew had grabbed him. His head was buried in his lap. The small pools of glitter told her he was upset. Duh! She

thought. He just got a taste of freedom, and then had it yanked away from him. Of course he’s

upset! The room had very little light. I wish it was better lit here. And just like that, the room was instantly full of

light. She quietly took a seat next to Ace, who still hadn’t noticed her. So, she punched his arm. “Ouch!” he wailed, finally

looking up. “What was that?” He stopped, finally acknowledging Molly. If his eyes had bugged out any further, they would have hit the moon. He instantly wrapped her in a giant bear hug.

“Is this…Andrew’s brain?” she asked. “If you’re referring to this empty, never ending prison, then yes,” he told her, a sly smirk returning to his face as he

released her. “How did I get here? I was in the middle of slapping my ex,” she grinned. “What were you thinking of when you touched him?” Ace asked. “You,” Molly blushed.

“That’s how,” he told her. “All you have to do is think of me, touch Andrew, and poof! You’re here! Pretty neat,

huh?” “So how do you get out?” Molly asked.

Ace pointed to a large, black door at the side of the room labeled Left Ear. Molly got up and walked towards the

door. Attached to it was a large, golden padlock. A note was pinned to the middle of the door. It read: Don’t even think

about it, loser. Oh, wait. You can’t think! Ha ha! –Andrew “Well isn’t that nice,” Molly joked. Ace stood up. “How did it get so bright all of the sudden?” “I don’t know,” Molly realized. “I just…wanted it to, I guess.” “Of course.” Ace said. “You’re not imaginary. You can think here. Make things happen.” Then, Molly got an idea. “Wait a minute.” she said.

“What is it?” Ace said with interest. “If I can turn on a few lights with my mind…” she grinned and peered at Ace. “Then I can unlock a door.” She lifted

the locked and stared at the key hole. Key. She thought. Think of a key. And just like that, she heard the sound of

something mental hit the floor. She looked down to see a key that would fit the lock perfectly. Molly clutched it in her hand, but stopped inches from the lock.

“What wrong?” asked Ace. “You have to make it so only I can see you.” she told him. “If Andrew sees you come out, he’ll just put you back in.” “Good call,” Ace responded with a snap of his fingers. “Done.” Molly slowly put the key in the lock and turned it. Ace’s face lit up as the lock opened with a click. She pulled the

key out and held it out to Ace. “Now you can come and go as you please.” “Why would I ever want to come back here?” he said. Feeling stupid, Molly thought up a great reply. “I can’t tell you what you want or don’t want, Ace. That’s your choice

now. Once I open this door, you can do whatever you want, and the rest of the world will just have to deal with it. Just don’t cause the apocalypse.”

“Aw man!” he joked, “There goes my weekend.” “Can’t Andrew hear me in here?” Molly asked. “I doubt he’s paying attention,” Ace taunted. “He never thinks about what’s happening back here. And if he did, we

would hear it.” Molly opened the door to see a swirling vortex…and ear hair. “Do you just…walk into it?” “Pretty much,” he replied. Molly grabbed his hand as they walked through the vortex. Before she knew it, she was back in the forest facing

Andrew. The sun had begun to rise. “Where did you go?” Andrew asked. “I blinked and you vanished.” “Oh…um…Debby got stuck in a tree,” Molly lied. “And…” Andrew cut her off. “And you came back to say you’re sorry for being a brat and you want to get back together.” “What?” Molly said. “It’s okay.” he told her. “I’m a very forgiving person.” Molly glanced to her side to see Ace mouth the words ‘Yeah, right.’ He went behind Andrew and held up two fingers

to give him bunny ears. Molly had to hold her breath to keep from laughing. It would be suspicious if she laughed at nothing. “So what do you say we find my motorcycle and get some frogurt?” Andrew said. “Frogurt?!?” Molly laughed. “Yeah,” Andrew retorted. “Frozen yogurt. Frogurt.” “What are you? Nine?” she smirked. Now it was Ace’s turn to keep from laughing. “What?” he said. “Three words.” Molly counted on her fingers. “Get. A. Life.” “Molly, what has gotten into you?!?” Andrew exclaimed.

It’s not what’s gotten into me. Molly thought. It’s who’s gotten out of you. “Andrew, that’s only one of three things that I’ve been meaning to tell you. The other two would be ‘I’m over you.’

And, for God’s sake ‘Quit wearing that jockstrap because it’s not changing anything.’” Molly said. “What are you saying?” Andrew said. “We’re through.” Molly turned and walked into the forest to find Debby. She heard Andrew call “Wait! Molly get back here! You get back her right now! I’m counting to three! One! Two!” “Goodbye Drew,” she called over her shoulder. She noticed Ace at her side, laughing. “What’s so funny?” she whispered. “Did you just say what I think you said?” he mumbled.

“What? What did I…” Molly stopped herself. I called him ‘Drew’. She thought. I called him ‘Drew’! Now both of them had to cover their mouths to keep from bursting with laughter.

Once they were well out of earshot, Molly yelled “You’re free, Ace! Free to do whatever you want!” Both of them jumped for joy. Literally. “Go see the world!” Molly continued. “Steal left socks! Pants the president!”

Ace stopped jumping. “’Pants the president,” he repeated with intrigue. “I’ll make a note of that.” Then something dawned on Molly. “Don’t move,” she told him. “Why?” he asked. “Just don’t. And shut your eyes.”

So he did. Molly studied his every feature, right down to the strand of hair that was out of place. Concentrate.

She thought. Concentrate! The wind picked up, the trees rustled as Molly made her creation. “Okay, look,” she told Ace.

He opened his eyes to see a gray girl. Her black hair was tied back in a braid. She had on a black dress. Her green eyes could melt the sun. Molly emerged from behind her. “Dude, if your smile gets any bigger, scientists will think it’s a small planet.” She joked. “Ace, meet….um…Polly. My imaginary friend.”

Ace’s jaw nearly hit the ground. “Now you won’t be alone when you travel,” Molly continued. “Told you I’d keep my promise.” Polly put her index finger on the tip of Ace’s nose and said her first three words. “Tag! You’re it!”

One week later: Molly hadn’t heard from Ace since she’d helped him escape. He promised her he would write. She was beginning to

get worried. What had happened to her friend? Was he safe? Had Andrew caught on? Where was he? Then she heard her mom scream, “Oh my stars and garters!” She walked into the living room. Her mother was on the sofa with her mouth gaped open from shock.

“How in the world did that happen?!?” Her mother shrieked. “What happened?” Molly asked. Her mother pointed to the T.V. On the screen was the president of the United States, staring down at his pink boxers. He was standing at a

podium, probably ready to give a speech. But now his pants were at his ankles. The most important man in the world was now the most embarrassed.

“He was mid-sentence, and his pants just dropped!” Her mother exclaimed.

Molly just stared. On the side of the podium were two gray people, a boy and a girl, leaping with laughter. Ace

and Polly. She thought. She’d given them the idea. She’d saved him from the prison of Andrew’s near empty mind. This

was all because of her. And she was loving every minute of it. And the best part was, she was the only person who could see them. “I can’t believe someone would- Molly, what’s so funny? I fail to see the humor in the president- Molly? MOLLY!”

Her mother said. But Molly was too busy laughing. She just couldn’t help it. Once she calmed down, she noticed a blank envelope on the coffee table. “What’s this?” she asked, scooping it up. “I’m not sure. There’s no address or anything,” Her mother said, her eyes still glued to the T.V. Molly opened the

envelope and took out a stained piece of paper. It said:

The world is only so big. We’ll be around someday. Count on it.

XOXO

Ace + Polly

A smile spread across Molly’s face.

P.S. Check your underwear drawer. Once again, Molly cracked up. She could almost see the sly smirk on his gray face.

The End… Or is it? :)

Rihanna – By Anna Wilson

Waken By Anna Wilson 9:30am November 22nd

Am I dead? I blink twice. I open my eyes. I see white walls. Where am I? I look down. I see myself in a bed with a white cloth over me. “Hello?” I say, trying to find my words to speak. “Leah?” “Mom? What are you doing here? Where am I?” “You’re in a hospital, sweetie… Oh sweetie, I missed you so much!” She touched my face. “What? Why? What happened?” “You were in a car crash. You were in a coma for one month. I was worried that I wouldn’t see you ever again,” she said. “I prayed and prayed for you to come back to me and my wish came true. I’m so happy to see you.” My mom hugged me for a long time. I was in a coma? For a month? I touch my forehead with my hand. I feel a bump. It hurts. I try to get up, but my mom stops me. “Oh, honey… Rest, okay? You just got out of your coma. Let me get the nurse. Stay here, okay?” “Duh,” I say, sarcastically. I watch my mom walk away to get the nurse. I stare up at the ceiling until my brother walks in. “Henry?” “Leah?” he says as he walks over to me. I sit up in my bed. “Yes, it’s me, Leah. Your sister. Your best friend,” I say. “Leah, I can’t believe it’s really you. I thought we lost you,” he said, coming over to me to give me a hug. “I really missed you.” I smile. “Wow, so many people have missed you… Wait until I tell Sam you’re…” “Sam! Oh my god! How is he?” I say. “He’s good. When he heard you were in an accident, he came almost every day for two weeks. Well, until…” Henry stopped. “Until what?” I say.

“I don’t know if I should tell you,” he said quietly. “It might break your heart.” “What?” I say. “He was so heartbroken over you. He thought he lost you. And people at school kept telling him to move on… So, after the two weeks, he hasn’t come to see you,” Henry said. “I’m so sorry.” I blink. Poor Sam. My boyfriend. “He thinks you’re dead, and he’s…” Henry starts, but stops. “Don’t stop. Tell me, Henry,” I say quietly. Henry takes a deep breath. “Ok. He’s dating someone else. I’m so sorry. They have been dating for a couple weeks,” he says. “I’m sorry. I know how much you liked him.” I want to cry. How could he date someone else? I’m here. Alive, breathing. We dated for nine months and he ends up with someone else? I try not to cry, but I know tears are rolling down my cheeks. Henry sits on the hospital bed next to me and hugs me, tightly. It feels nice to be with Henry. I know everything is going to be ok. It’s just going to be awkward to go back to school and see Sam with his new girl. But I know Henry, my brother, and Emily, my best friend, will be there for me. *One week later* Coming back to school a month later is pretty crazy. You see, I’m not popular. I have always been that shy, smart girl whom nobody knows. But now, I’m like a celebrity at my school. People ask me to sit with them at lunch time, and say ‘hi’ to me in the hallways. I didn’t think they knew I existed on this planet. Whom I really want to see is Sam. He is the only one I want to see, and, well, of course Emily, my best friend. At the same time I’m scared to see Sam with his new girlfriend. There I am, standing by my locker, getting my things out for my next class. Just then I see him with his friends. He looks very handsome, but different at the same time. Sam sees me and starts to walk over. I just stand there, pretending to get my things out, so he thinks I haven’t noticed him. “Hey, Leah.” His voice sounds so different. “Hi.” I look down at my shoes. “Um… So, you’re back,” he says. “Yeah, I am,” I say. “I missed you a lot,” he replies. I just nod. “Well... Bye.” I start to leave. “Wait, Leah.” I turn around. I don’t say anything. “I’m still madly in love with you.” I blink. “I thought I lost you. People kept on saying you were gone. I didn’t want to give up hope, but then I started to believe them. I know I shouldn’t have. I’m just saying… I love you. I always will.” I didn’t know what to say.

“I know, but you have a girlfriend now,” I say. “Damn it, Leah, I don’t care. All I care about is you. I want to be with you,” Sam says roughly. “I know, but we need a break,” I say, walking away without turning back. I know if I turn back I will start crying. I love him, but we can’t be together. He has a girlfriend now. He calls my name, but I keep on walking until I am completely alone. Then, I start to cry, and run into the girls’ bathroom. *Five months later* There he is. Sam. I haven’t seen him for a long time now, except at school. I miss him. He still looks very handsome. “Leah?” “Sam? What are you doing here?” “I broke up with Holly.” “What?” “You heard me. I broke up with Holly.” “What? Why?” “You know why.” I blink twice. “Leah, I love you.” I don’t know what to say. He continues, “You’re the only girl I’ve ever loved. I loved Holly, but not as much as I love you. I love you with all my heart. It was great to be with Holly for a little while, but it isn’t the same. You are my first love and I can’t lose you.” I didn’t know what to say. I leaned into him and kissed his cheek softly and said, “I know you do.”

Cheetos – By Taylor Bradley

Taylor Swift – By Anna Wilson

teen zine is:

Taylor Bradley, Angelica Cataldo, Anna Gallagher, Dessa Leonard, and Kalyn Smith

Please join us at our next meeting!

Call the Information Desk (847-669-5386 ext. 21) to attend.

Teen Zine is a publication of the Huntley Area Public Library’s teen writers’ club and includes members’ work as well as submissions from area teens in grades 6 – 12. If you would like to

submit your work for review and possible inclusion in a future issue of the zine, please fill out a submission form (available at the library’s Information Desk), or use our online form:

http://ya.huntleylibrary.info/tzonlineform.