The Perfect Breakfast

Sofia’s stomach growled as she entered her favorite cafe. The tempting breakfast sandwiches beckoned, and today, she craved the legendary special. The cheerful barista, Jake, took her order.

“The usual, Sofia?”

She nodded. “You know it, Jake. I’m on a mission for that legendary sandwich.”

As she waited, Sofia watched the creation of her breakfast: Fluffy eggs cooked to perfected along the cackle of the bacon that yelled “I’m delicious!”. All this and a slice of gooey melted cheese between two halves of a croissant. The anticipation filled the air. This daily ritual was an epic moment she looked forward to.

Jake handed her the finished sandwich. Excitement in the air, Sofia found a spot outside. Just before her first bite, a skateboarder collided with her, sending the sandwich to the pavement. Her heart sank; the once-perfect creation was now crushed. The skateboarder sped away, leaving Sofia salvaging the remains. The flavors were there, but her epic breakfast turned into a sidewalk tragedy.

Tomorrow
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” I shouted at her as she walked out, but we both knew the truth. She tried so hard to keep it a secret but your best friend always knows when something is up. She sent out those applications for abroad months ago, not confident at all. I remember the day she got most of them back, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, and the Philippines. I remember the heartbreak on her face as they all told her to stay put. She put all her hopes on the Philippines and now all she had left was France. Honestly, I get why she did it, I tried to hide that I was secretly happy that I got to keep her, but a best friend always knows. I remember the day she had an extra kick in her step, I asked her about it and she said she must have just worked up on the right side of the bed, she was never a very good liar. I remember the day I went into her room while she was at work and there it was, on her desk, the shiny paper left open because she probably passed out when she read it. I read the date and memorized it, 30 more days. That’s all I had. I waited for her to tell me, and even gave her a few opportunities by casually asking if she had heard back yet, she just said she was still waiting. With 15 days left, I showed up at her house with popcorn and DVDs of her favorite movie, and she told me she was busy. 8 Days left I brought her coffee to her work and asked her to run away with me, she said she couldn’t just leave work. If I were trying to hide something from my best friend I would avoid her too. Or maybe she thought it would make saying goodbye easier if she grew apart from me. On the last day, she came to my house with coffee, popcorn, and a movie. We had never laughed so hard, it was the best day of my life. It got late and I knew she had to leave early in the morning so I suggested driving her home. The music was loud, but I couldn’t still hear her quite sniffling under it all. We got to her house and I hugged her like I could never let go, we cried. She got out with puffy eyes.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“I love you”
“I love you too.”

Stowaway

Ty: So, that’s the worst thing you did when you were younger. That’s like border line illegal

Luca: It was very illegal, that’s why you have to know how to not get caught. I would ask you yours but knowing you, it’s probably something boring. Let me guess, you forgot to wipe down the table at a restaurant after you ate there.”

Ty: “Well, there was this one time. I snuck away to Burnaby for an entire weekend.

Luca: What?! How did that happen? When did this happen?

Ty: I think I was 8 or 9. Mike, my best friend’s dad had a conference there. We planned to stow away in his trunk inspired by “Night at the Museum.”

Luca: That’s crazy. Why Burnaby?

Ty: It’s where the museum movie was filmed in is at, and you know it’s my favorite. We jumped out at a red light, but someone saw us.

Luca: No way! What happened?

Ty: Police came to Mike’s dad. Meanwhile, we paraded the streets looking for the museum while our parents sent out a missing child report.

Luca: Serious stuff. Did you at least get to the museum?

Ty: Nope. Caught immediately, a crazy lecture, grounded for the rest of the year. It was February.

Luca: Brutal. Is that your only rebellious story?

Ty: After such a massive fail, how do you go back?

Luca: Well, get ready. We leave tomorrow morning.

Ty: Where are we going?

Luca: You never made it in, so we’re visiting the American Museum of Natural History.

Ty: You’re the best.

Luca: I know, right?

Sanctuary
Would it sound crazy if I said there’s a place where everything just stops? No school stress, no drama, none of that. It’s not a physical spot but more of a vibe, like a magical forest filled with music. Picture leaves cover the ground, giving shelter from all the craziness. It’s not a total escape, but more like a change in how you see things. In this musical hideaway, time sort of slows down, and the noisy world takes a break, letting the calming tunes take over.
Sometimes, when the weight of well, life feels too heavy, I find myself retreating to this sanctuary, and honestly it happens more often than I’d like to admit. It’s like stepping into a cozy space where all that matters is the rhythm, the harmonies, or the way that specific part of that song tickled my brain. The forest gets thicker, the leaves creating a soft carpet underfoot. It’s not about ignoring problems but finding a breather. A pause button, if you will. Amidst the music, responsibilities melt away, and the simple joy of being in the moment becomes the focus. If just for a few moments. It’s not a complete escape, but it adds a touch of magic to the journey, making those daily challenges a tad more manageable

Breaking Strings
I knew I waited too long, I should have told her ages ago that this wasn’t working out. You hear everyone around you saying that high school sweethearts are near impossible and yet we still thought we were one in a million. Even though I went off to college and she was still finishing her senior year. Even though I was in Chicago and she was back home in Kansas City we went into this with so much confidence. It was my fault too, I knew that she was busy and that I was busy too, and yet I still fought with her about it like it was her fault we couldn’t see each other every single second. I think that’s when I knew it wasn’t going to last, but how can you even accept something like that. Then she got her scholarship, Juliard, New York, aka even further. It’s crazy because I should have known she would get it, she kept saying she applied just because and that it was a long shot but I knew how talented she is and that she would get it. I have always told her that I would be cheering her on when she gets famous. How can I ask her to stay tied down to me in New York of all places, that is just not fair to her.
Then she came down for the summer after graduation. It confirmed everything I knew deep down. I could see her point of view, we had been away from each other so long she just wanted to make up for lost time. They say living together is the trial run for a lifelong commitment, and we were failing. At first, it was awesome, waking up with her, she made me breakfast, and we would get coffee every morning, clean the house, go on a walk, make dinner together, and then go to sleep with her. Then reality set in, the three-hour-long fight we got into over we whipped the toothpaste off my mouth with the hand towel and then put it back. I felt claustrophobic around her, I love her, but it was too much. Then I realized I had messed up, small talk at our dinner date in this fancy restaurant led me to ask when she had to leave for Juliard. She said she was still thinking about it, that’s crazy, and I told her so. She has been dreaming of this opportunity since she was a little girl, she was made to be a star and everyone who knew her knew that was true. She said it meant leaving me for another 4 years, and she didn’t think she could do it. It was my fault, she told me she didn’t ever want to be apart from me ever again. She was going to throw it all away, to live with me in my crappy apartment. She took my hand and a deep breath, I knew what she was going to do. It was my fault, I knew I waited too long. She deserves the world, I can’t give her that, she needs to be set free. I looked down at her, kneeling there with that pretty rock. I whipped the tear from my eye, not because I saw our future, but because I saw hers. I love her, that’s why I did it, that’s why I waited so long to let go, look where that got her.
“No”

Chasing Dreams
When I was a kid, they loved asking that famous question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It felt more like a creativity contest than a serious inquiry into our futures. Responding with “Astronaut!” or “Famous Actor” earned you pats on the back and, if you were lucky, a shiny sticker. Back in 1st and 2nd grade, teachers weren’t exactly waiting for a 5-year-old to shout out “Accountant!” or “Walmart Manager.”

Now, in high school, the same question takes on a more serious tone. I’m surrounded by kids who have a meticulous 6-year plan for their law school journey before even getting their driver’s license. The worst part is when they ask you about your plan, and you end up mumbling something like, “I’m just going with the flow.” Suddenly, it sounds like you’re just dying to be unsuccessful or homeless. The truth is, that 1st-grade dream is still lingering around in there, and you’re just scared to admit it. But can you be blamed?

The reality is, that the enthusiasm for “Queen of the Galaxy” doesn’t get the same reaction anymore. I haven’t gotten a sticker in years. It makes you wonder why they even ask you in the first place. I’ve been dreaming of ruling the stars and planets for years, and now you’re telling me I should spend the next three years learning how to professionally argue with people. However, I think the reason they ask is passion. Perhaps those 1st-grade teachers are secretly hoping you hold onto those dreams because determination and passion lead to those dreams coming true.

In the end, life’s not a script we follow. Having a plan is logical, but the thrill is in the uncertainty. Let’s embrace the unknown, take leaps of faith, and hold onto our passions. One day, I’ll be the singer I’ve always imagined. The journey may not get me a sticker, but it’ll be worth every unexpected note and every untold story