So we read the book Whirligig in school and were asked to write another chapter to the book in which it shows one of the whirligigs affecting somebody in a positive way.
I have to hand this in for school so have at it. Revise it as much as you want.(I want to be crying by the time I'm done reading your responses.)
Just a warning, it's really cheesy and cliche but my LA teacher likes that way. It'll get me the grade.
5.
Gabe Rowe 7F
3-29-09
LANCASTER, PA
(Run Hubert, Run!)
A breeze blew swiftly through the southern fields of Strasburg Township, (“the booneys” as Strasburgians call it) and with the wind blew the familiar scent of manure, green grass and beautiful flowers. A monarch followed the wind, letting itself be taken whichever way the breeze may blow. It was led deep into the forest, finally landing, ever so lightly, on a structure that had been standing in the forest for many years. It was in fact, a whirligig, and a beautiful one at that. On it there was a girl, her face always smiling and her legs always turning in the wind. So listen now as I weave the tale of Hubert, and let it sink into your heart as it has mine.
~.~
The sun just began to peek over the horizon. It moved slowly, as if timid to greet the day that lay before it. Hubert watched it rise as he ran. As he made his way up a steep hill, his legs ached, sweat stung his eyes and drenched his hair, and his lungs gasped for breath . . .Hubert was having the time of his life. The daily morning runs that Hubert had been going on was truly, to get in shape for track, but he knew that he would probably continue these runs even after track season was over, for these runs were a time for Hubert to separate himself from the busy day that lay before him and be alone with his thoughts. Hubert was sick of all the drama, stress and business of school. So every morning before school started and before the world got up to begin the day, Hubert just put on his running shoes and ran.
So that morning as Hubert ran, exploring the hidden beauties of the morning, thoughts of the previous night filled his mind and troubled him. He had entitled that night the Night of Firsts, for Hubert had done many things for the first time. For example, the first time he had not only drank an alcoholic beverage, but had felt himself get a little tipsy. It was the first time he had smoked, the fist time he had been to a party on a school night that had gone past 1:00 AM, and the first time Troy Holdan had paid any attention to him. He had many mixed emotions about the Night of Firsts. At first, it had exhilarated him. But the night ended badly when after Troy had offered him some type of drug, Hubert got a hold of himself and refused, but in doing so sacrificed any respect he had gained from Troy. Why did he even ever want to impress Troy? Hubert couldn’t figure it out. He was a mean, disgusting kid who spent all of his time doing drugs and smoking after school. But Troy was popular. He was in tight with all the cool guys . . . and girls. Hubert himself had never felt too rejected in school. He had his own circle of friends that he hung out with, but Troy had something Hubert has always wanted . . . respect. Respect from students, even respect from teachers. So when Troy said those words to him, “Yo, Hue, hop in. We’re going to the Medallion,” Hubert agreed eagerly, without thinking. Hubert enjoyed the night. He was making everyone laugh with his hidden sense of humor. He was on his fourth shot when someone popped a cigarette in his mouth and Hubert started gagging . . . everyone laughed. But then Troy handed him some weed, wanting him to try it. When Hubert refused it, the words Troy spoke to him still rang clearly in his head, “Go home, Hue, we don’t want you. Wow, man, I thought you were actually cool”.
Hubert made his way down the final stretch of the road before reaching his house. He put away all thoughts and simply enjoyed the sunrise, and all of morning’s beauty.
~.~
Hubert yawned in second period and couldn’t wait for lunch. He was exhausted and had already been yelled at for not paying attention in class five times today. Hubert just couldn’t seem to get awake.
Finally the bell rang, and Hubert got up and made his way to lunch, but as he was walking his way out the door, Mrs. Milestine grabbed his arm and pulled it aside.
“Hubert could I speak to you for a moment,” she asked.
“Uhh . . . sure,” I answered.
“Hubert I noticed you seem kind of out of it today. Is everything all right?”
“Yeah . . . I’m okay.”
“Are you sure? If there’s anything you want to talk about feel free.
“No really, I’m fine.”
“Well alright Hubert, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Bye,” Hubert said as he walked out of the room. Wow, Hubert thought, that was weird. He had never had a teacher have him stay after class to ask him if he was okay.
As Hubert got out of the lunch line and began searching for his friends, he couldn’t help but notice Troy’s gang glaring at him from the other side of the cafeteria. Hubert ignored their stares and sat down at a table with his friends. As he did, his best friend Dougy began to speak,
“So Hue, Where were you last night?”
“What? . . . what d’ya m- oh crap!” It was then Hue recalled himself promising to Dougy he would go over to his house to study for a science test that was next period.
“I’m sorry Dougy . . . I . . . uh . . . forgot.”
“Whatever Hue, don’t worry about it, I just hoped you studied. It’s going to be a whopper of a test.”
Hubert gulped.
After taking the science test, which he was almost positive he failed, and surviving fourth period school was finally over. As Hue hopped in his car to go home, something he did not expect happened. Troy pulled up next to him and called,
“Yo Hue, we’re having a party at Devil’s backdoor tonight at 12:00. Stop by man, it’ll be a blast.”
Hubert couldn’t believe it. After last night he didn’t think Troy would ever talk to him again. But now he was inviting him to a party at Devil’s Backdoor. No, Hubert thought to himself, I’m not going to make the same mistake twice.
~.~
11:52 is what Hubert’s wristwatch read. Hubert had just snuck outside and was making his way to Devil’s Backdoor on foot for fear that starting his car would wake his parents. Besides, Devil’s Backdoor wasn’t too far away. He had ran past it once. He went inside the old abandoned shack to see what it was all about. All he had found was cigarette butts and broken beer bottles.
Hubert made his way down the path that led to Devil’s Backdoor with a flashlight to light the way. As he did he felt a small voice inside of him question his actions. He ignored it and continued onward. The voice grew louder and louder until every fiber in his body was screaming, “turn back! This is not the life you want to live! Turn back!”
But Hubert just kept on going. He felt as he did during the Night of Firsts. He was exhilarated and filled with anxiety. It was almost as if he couldn’t control himself. As he drew near to Devil’s Backdoor, he began to hear shouts, screams, and whoops of laughter. Someone noticed Hubert and cried out to everyone,
“LOOK! Here comes Hue!” Everyone started whooping. It was then when Hubert spotted a structure in the ground of a girl. She was facing the opposite direction and her legs were running in the cool night breeze. All other noises tuned out as Hue focused on the structure, mesmerized by its beauty. Hubert could have sworn the girl was talking to him, for he heard her voice loud and clear,
“Hubert . . . Run!” Upon hearing those words, Hubert did what he loved to do more than anything else. He ran . . . just like the girl. Hubert ran. He ran away from Devil’s Backdoor . . . and away from the life Troy was trying to get him to live. Hubert ran!
Epilogue
My tale is done, and for those of you who wonder what become of Hubert I cannot tell you much other than throughout the rest of his high school career Hubert never smoked, did drugs, or went to any other party’s with Troy. That life he ran away from, as you read. Hubert was I great kid and a good student who stayed devoted to running and his studies. He continues to wake up at 5:45 AM every morning to go on his morning runs, and holds the school record for the 1600 in track. Oh, and one more thing . . . the cops arrived at Devil’s Back door only minutes after Hubert had run away from it that night. If I remember correctly the headline the following morning in the newspaper read, “12 kids arrested after being found smoking illegal drugs at old shack in southern Strasburg.” So remember this tale as you go out and live your life, and remember that sometimes all you need to do is . . . run!
