3...2...1...
  And we're off.  Finals finally over, Hawk Hall echoed with kids' screaming and the ecstasy of 100+ degree freedom.
  Not gonna lie, I can't get over the vast amount of time splayed out before me.  After a hard sophomore year, it's just kind of shocking.  But now I'm officially a junior and with a kickstart we began the summer-- blowing our minds watching Inception, eating icecream, surfing Pinterest, calling people over and over again until they'd answer {got up to 19 times}, testing out the oddest faces we could make,  making chocolate chip pancakes saturated with whipped cream for dinner, walking around the mall, invading people's front rooms and laughing hard with their parents...  Oh how us girls have fun.
  This morning I was able to sleep in.  Oh how glorious.  And figuring I may as well start fresh, I dumped my entire 10th grade year in the recycling bin {except for a few save-worthy notes/writing pieces} and then set to work attacking then clutter of the rest of my room, closet and drawers included.  I realized how happy with the world organization makes me feel.
   Then tonight I partied around with more friends.
  Seriously.  This summer we are going to have a freaking blast, soaking up the sun, pulling all-nighters,  driving around the town with our new licenses, pretty much having the time of our lives.

  People tell me it's "so cool" how "nice" I am. I have to laugh.
   It's not like my goal is to be Little Miss Goody Two Shoes.  Maybe it's kind of a selfish thing-- I figure if I don't hurt them, they won't, or at least shouldn't, hurt me.  {At least if they do, I'll have a clear conscience and no regret resulting from getting a taste of my own medicine}  Plus, doesn't get awkward when you're in a good mood but the other person in the room is down in the dumps and so you don't know what to do?  Basically it sucks to hurt, so why inflict pain?
  You never know what's going on in someone's life.  And so the best thing you can do is make a game of making people happy-- I doubt you'll feel much remorse for a smile!  
  A lot of people get it.  A lot of people advocate the whole anti-bullying agenda.  It's not perfect, but it's improving this world slowly.  People are helping each other grow.
  But one of my biggest pet peeves is the way so many people treat those they believe can't be effected by their insults.  The whole big celebrity-mocking deal?  It drives me nuts.  When I go online to see articles, music videos, and other media, people slam the comment section with insults.  "[Effing] slut." "Oh little boy is pregnant."  "How is this $%^&*$%^ 's garbage even considered music?!"  The list goes on, I have seen them all, and it makes me sick.  I don't care if you don't agree with someone, or if you're jealous of their {fill in the blank}, it must be hard to live life under a microscope.  And I can guarantee that none of y'all out there are perfect, so be respectful even if you disagree.  Any person no matter how "high up" on the tower can still be injured by an arrow shot.
  There are seven billion people on just one little planet.  So we've got to learn to share it nicely. 

  The sunlight caught on the glitter of my gown  as it brushed against the ground, a beautiful silvery pink shimmering by golden fingertips.  A smile flickered on the corners of my lips...   

  When the boy you are closet to asks you to the fairytale-themed "Mormon Prom," there is no physical way to opt out.
  Not gonna lie.  I really did feel like the princess headed to the ball, and my head spun with the dreaminess of not just a sparkly pink dress and extra-thick makeup and intricate hairstyles, but with the fact that I got to spend the evening with such a bomb-diggity person.  Bryan and I had to laugh.  Back in freshman year when our lab bio teacher kept trying to hook us up, we thought she crazy.  Now...  

Well, we certainly had a good time, to say the least.  Dinner and a dance, but not just that.  Though I love the heat and the throb and the melody of the music, the rocking to a soft tune, the partying around, there's more.  I love being able to drive the long way there and just talk about those things you wouldn't typically talk about.  Things that you can trust each other with.  Things that make you wonder.  And then, sitting at a bench watching the stars glint above and the reflection of the city lights snare on the pond surface. 

  It was a lovely time.  And I definitely can't wait till the next.

     Do you see that? Look at that little half sheet of paper.  In microscopic handwriting on both sides, I gave up my life to fill up pretty much every blank spot with math notes for this entire semester.  But what can I say-- teacher-approved cheat sheet is the best way to go during finals weeks.  Have I mentioned how much I loathe exams?
  But we still manage to have fun.  When the principal outlaws the senior prank and then cuts the already-short passing period in half and warns against the "punishable crime of disrupting the learning environment" when student protest with a sit-in in the middle of Hawk Hall, we band together and rock our black and white stripes in rebellion because our "school is a prison."  Okay, maybe it's not, but it's fun to be matching with the kool kids when summer's about to start.
  Seriously though.  I officially have no more Fridays as an underclassman.

....to....
 My outstanding siblings.  Both theatrical people.
   Now you see this babe here?  This goes to Rachel, who earned three awards at the high school's Fresneli Theatre Awards.  This included the honorary huge-glowing-trophy award of Most Professional Actress.  Round of applause?  Yes, go ahead.

  Aren't I just lucky to be part of such a fantastic family?

  But two weeks from today, folks. {big sigh}.  I can do this.  And then?
  I'm an upperclassman.
  But not before I rock my bomb-diggity summer.

  I came home late Wednesday night to find my room filled to the brim with balloons.
   Um.  Heck yes.