What Is Life Really About?

By Magda. L

The book is full of interesting stories, all containing an interesting lesson that you may either relate to or learn from. It varies from simple things, like a girl trying hard to gain her respect in school by joining the cheerleading squad, to a tragic story about motivation and to a more dangerous subject about teens being trapped in a gang, including way more. In this book, youll definitely get to see the different perspectives and situations that teens deal with.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781532046995

Magda. L

Magdalena is a young 16 year old author born in Boston Massachussetts in November 4rth, 2001. She found an interest in writing at a very young age. This is her first book ever being published. She resides in Montreal with her mom and brother.

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Copyright © 2018 Magda. L.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-4698-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-4699-5 (e)

iUniverse rev. date: 04/17/2018

Contents

Aknowledgment

Cheerleader

Chad

Muscles

Mrs. Garner’s House

Tibby’s Real Friends

To Smoke Or Not To Smoke?

Why Gamble?

I’m Not A Murderer

Die Like A Champ?

When To Draw The Line

When To Draw The Line Part 2: Chena

Aknowledgment

I would like to thank my mom, who was always very supportive throughout the process of this book and for pushing me to do my best.

A special thanks to Jacques Claude Hernande, a family friend who, without him I wouldn’t have had the idea to publish my stories and for having so much faith in me.

Another special thanks to Marty Cain, part of iUniverse, for being very patient and making me feel more comfortable throughout the process during this exciting journey.

I would like to thank iUniverse book publishing company for helping me along the way and providing details and guides to help me with my first book creation.

Cheerleader

R ina was walking home from school with her best friend Maura. They had been walking for more than fifteen minutes and none of them had said a word yet. Rina was too busy thinking. She actually had lots of things to think about. But the thing that was stuck on her mind was Taylor Swiffly. Taylor was the most popular cheerleader at Rina’s school. She was snobby but pretty much every girl in school wished that they could look exactly like her. Rina secretly wished that too. She just didn’t really like Taylor because Taylor was never nice to her. She always made these nasty comments and thought she was better than everyone.

What are you planning on signing up for this year? Maura asked, interrupting Rina’s thoughts.

Um, I was thinking that maybe I could try cheerleader.

Maura just stared at her. You’re kidding right? she asked.

Rina felt herself getting angry. No. I am not kidding, she said. Why? You think I’m not able to become a cheerleader just because I’m not cool or as pretty as those girls who hang out with Taylor?

Maura seemed surprised at how Rina reacted. No! she said. No! Not at all! I just thought that you were going to sign up for the math club or social studies club, something like that… geez, why are you so cranky all of a sudden?!

Rina sighed. I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m sick and tired of people always thinking that I’m a nerd and that I can only do nerdy things. Like, earlier today, when I told Taylor that I might sign up for cheerleading, she just laughed at me and said that I could never become a cheerleader even if I tried. That really got to me. So that’s why I’m going to try to prove her wrong.

Are you sure that that’s what you want?

Yes. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do for the past three years. But it’s Taylor who intimidated me. I’m not going to let her do that anymore.

Oh, is all Maura said and for the rest of their walk to Rina’s house they stayed quiet. *

When Rina got home, she went in her room and on her laptop to look up some cheerleading clips. She tried to copy some of the basic moves, but she was having a hard time.

A half hour later, her older sister, Candace, walked into her room, What are you doing?

Rina was embarrassed. But then she found herself telling her sister everything that she told Maura. After she was done explaining everything, Candace offered to help her with her cheerleading problem. Candace was the assistant head-cheerleader in her school. So, for almost everyday after school, Candace would teach Rina a few moves.

They went o like that for a month. Then, before the sign up sheets went up at Rina’s school, her sister gave her a new look. It was more of a cheerleader look. When Rina went to school and put her name on the sign up sheet in front of Taylor, Taylor started to laugh, but then she stopped when she realized it was Rina. Even though you’ve changed your look, doesn’t mean you’re going to make it on the cheerleading squad. Then she stuck her nose up in the air and walked away with her friends.

During lunch period, cheerleading tryouts were being held. When Rina showed up, a few kids laughed at her. But when she started her routine, they stopped laughing. She did everything really well and everyone was impressed with her. When she was done, everyone clapped and whistled.

Three weeks later, she found out that she would be replacing the assistant head cheerleader. That same day, Taylor was waiting at her locker. You’re really not bad Rina, she said. Then she gave Rina a hug. Welcome to the cheerleaders’ squad!

Well, I guess my job here is done, Rina thought. I proved to Taylor and everyone else that I could be a cheerleader and I conquered my dream. Note to self: Never give up.

The End

Chad

"A re you coming to my house after school today?" Sydney quickly went the other way when she saw Terrie Turboul walking down the hall talking to one of her friends. Terrie was the meanest and toughest kid in the whole school. Everyone was scared of her. Even the teachers couldn’t control her! But she was especially mean to Sydney. Sydney was able to avoid Terrie for most of the morning except for when it was lunch. She had to give Terrie her lunch money, like always.

When the day was over, she was relieved. The only problem about her going home was that Terrie lived in the house right next to hers. That was why she avoided going outside as much as possible. *

The next day, she looked out the window to see when Terrie would leave for school. After Terrie left, Sydney took the long walk to school. When she got near the cemetery, she tried to decide whether or not she should cut through it or take the long way around it. I should just cut through it. It can’t hurt, she thought. So she quickly walked through the cemetery.

When she got near the exit, she saw a body laying in front of a grave. She screamed. The body’s eyes opened. It was a boy her age. He stood up looking dazed. After Sydney was done freaking out, the boy explained to her how he got there. He said that he was looking for Shephard High School, and he thought that maybe if he cut through the cemetary, he would be able to find the school faster. But as he was walking, he saw something strange that scared him, so he started to run. Then he fell and bumped his head on one of the gravestones.

That’s when he blacked out. He said his name was Chad. He had just moved into the neighbourhood, so he was pretty much new to everything. Sydney offered to walk him to school since that was where she was headed.

For the whole day, Sydney accompanied Chad and guided him around the school. During lunch period, Terrie came up to Sydney’s lunch table. When she saw Chad, she asked him if had any lunch money. When he said no, she said, Well, you better bring some tomorrow.

Why? Chad asked.

You never ask me questions, dummy. You just do as I say.

I don’t just do things people tell me to do without knowing why.

That’s not how things work at this school, moron.

Well, the way you do things in this school is not how I do things.

You better watch what you say or you’ll have to suffer the consequences.

Oh yeah? What are you going to do to me?

Terrie seemed stuck for words. I’ll, I’ll… I’ll deal with you tomorrow, she said, before walking off.

Sydney was stunned. It was the first time that she didn’t need to give Terrie her lunch money. What did you do that for? She could ruin your life and do all sorts of things to you! she told Chad.

That’s what she says, but it doesn’t mean she’s going to do it. She’s probably just covering up to seem tough. Sydney thought of that for a long time.

The next day, Terrie threatened Chad again, but he still wasn’t scared. She tried to fight him and he was surprisingly strong, so he won without actually trying.

Terrie ran off with tears in her eyes! Everyone was impressed. That afternoon, as Sydney and Chad were walking home, Chad asked Sydney why she was so scared of Terrie. She explained to him her reason. So he offered to help her stand up for herself and to not let people push her around.

He helped her a lot for the whole week to break out of her shell a little. He started to inspire the whole school to stand up to Terrie. Terrie wasn’t used to not being in power, so a few months later, she transferred to another school. That same afternoon, Chad asked Sydney to walk through the cemetery with him. When they got to the gravestone, where Sydney had found him the first time they met, he told her to read the writing on it. His name was on it.

I’m a spirit, he said. I died at thirteen. That’s because, I used to get bullied a lot, so one day it just went out of control and I committed suicide. That girl Terrie is the younger sister of the guy who bullied me. I got out of here to help you. But now I know you’ll be fine. It’s time to say goodbye. Then he disappeared.

Sydney stood there, stunned. A sudden wave of gratefulness rushed through her body. She bent down and kissed the gravestone. Then she put her flower key chain in front of the gravestone and quickly got out of there. She never forgot that moment. She would always cut through the cemetery to see if Chad would pop out again. But he never did. One day, she found a paper, and on it was written, I’m hoping to see you again. Chad. Sydney smiled to herself and waited for that moment.

The End

Muscles

A s I walked into school, I immediately noticed a group of girls near a corner of the hallway. They were all saying stuff like, Oh, you have such big muscles!, or, You must workout a lot! I decided to go check it out to see what the commotion was all a bout.

When I got closer I saw a patch of dark brown curly and wavy hair in the middle of all the girls. Then, the bell rang and some girls reluctantly left to go to class. Other girls were asking, (begging), him to walk them to their classes.

Listen, I’ll catch up to you girls in a second okay? Save me a seat in class, the guy said. When the girls walked away, I saw who, The guy, was. It was Andy. One of my best friends. He seemed different from when I saw him last Thursday.

Before, he was good looking and skinny. Almost lanky. Now, he had big muscular arms that were twice the size of my arms. Even his legs had some muscles and were well built. He still had the same face, but his head seemed small in that huge built up body of his now. It didn’t seem to suit him much.

What and how did that happen to you?! I asked. He explained to me that he had found a good business deal on how to get huge muscles in less than a week without doing exercise or working out. So he called the number of the business to get more information. Since it was his first time doing stuff like that, he got the pills and other stuff for free. He didn’t get to finish explaining to me everything because the second bell rang. For the whole day, he was surrounded by people.

As I rode the bus home at the end of the day, I couldn’t help but thing about Andy’s new and big muscles. I mean, if I had muscles like those, I’d be able to get the attention of Sarah Parphas, the girl I had a secret crush on. I thought about how much I would like that.

When I got home, I called Andy to get more information about the business that gave him his stuff to get muscles. He gave me the number and told me what to say in case if I got nervous or something. After I hung up, I called the place. They made sure that I was over sixteen before they filled me in on how the pills worked. I was supposed to take no more than four pills a day and eat healthy stuff, but still eat the regular food I had everyday. I’d be getting my stuff for free and they would mail them to me the next day. *

The next morning, after my parents left home for work, I received my stuff in a medium-sized package in our mailbox. I was so happy. I got to take one pill before I went to school. I brought other pills with me to school so I could follow my routine with my vegetables. Andy was surrounded again. Even Sarah Paphas was there. How did you get all those muscles, she asked Andy.

Oh, I just workout, he said casually. I definitely needed to get muscles. For the rest of the week, I continued my routine, and by Monday, my muscles were almost as big as Andy’s. I got all the girls’ attention too. I was even able to ask Sarah out on date. She said yes!

My parents were stunned by mu muscles, so I just told them that I worked out with my friends. I had become totally popular at my school because of my muscles. The best part was that I was dating Sarah. So I continued taking my pills just to stay in shape. When there weren’t anymore, I ordered more. That time, it cost me thirty bucks. A few weeks later, I found out that Andy was put in the hospital because he had fainted. The doctors said that he had lost most of his force from the pills he was taking and he had become very weak. They said that he would be fine, but he’d have to stay in the hospital for a few more days so they could help him gain his force back. I should’ve gotten a hint, but I didn’t.

Then, the day Andy got out of the hospital, I ended up in there. I felt so weak and I could barely lift a finger. I thought I was going to die. But one week later, I made it out of the hospital. I looked and felt the same when I didn’t have muscles. Andy seemed the same as he was before he got muscles too.

We both decided to never take pills ever again because it was too dangerous. We had both learned our lesson. When we went to school the next week, everyone surrounded us to know if we were okay. But we weren’t as popular as we were before. Sarah was still dating me after that though. So I guess she really did like me for who I was. Andy and I had decided to just go to the gym and workout like normal guys. We figured that it was a lot of work but a much better and safer way of getting muscular.

The End

Mrs. Garner’s House

"H ey Henry! I turned around to see my two best friends, Kent Briants and Reed Raynolds rushing my way. When they both caught up to me, Kent said breathlessly, Did you get an invitation to Greg’s party?" He and Reed both waved a light blue card in my face. I shook my head. And just then, we saw Greg giving out more cards down the hall.

Greg Hamolton was the coolest and most popular kid in the whole school. Or should I say, the neighbourhood. People always talked about how cool his house and parties were. His parents were famous and very rich. His sister, Kimberly, was one of the prettiest and most popular girls in the whole school also. She was only one year younger than me. She was supposed to be in my grade, but she had to redo grade seven. I never told anyone that I had a little crush on her.

Greg stopped at my locker and handed me a card, then continued giving out the rest of his invitations to other people. Kent and Reed were both nearly jumping up and down excitedly. Then the bell rang. *

After school, when I got home, I took a look at Greg’s card. It was really well done and I was having a hard time believing that he made it. During dinner, I told my parents about the invitation. The party was on Saturday, so I would be able to still spend some family time with my parents on Friday, (Halloween night), like we always did. Mom said that she would call Greg’s parents to ask more information about the party.*

The next morning, Mom told me that she would call Greg’s parents while I was at school. Kent and Reed already got permission to go to the party. Pretty much everyone was talking about it and how excited they were to go. Especially since the theme was a Halloween costume party. *

On Halloween, I spent the day doing cool activities and watching movies with my parents. Finally, when Saturday came, I wore my Frankenstein costume. Then I decided that it wasn’t cool. So I wore something casual, then I wore Frankenstein’s neck and put a fake axe in my head. Perfect. At 5:50, Mom drove me to Greg’s house. I got there four minutes passed six.

When I rang the doorbell, a Latin woman answered the door. Name please? she said in an accent.

Henry Housing, I answered. She looked at the clipboard in her hand, nodded, then yelled into the house, Henry Housing is here! She turned back to me and said, Come in. You will find Greg near the staircase.

It was easy for me to Greg. He was the only one there talking to a group of girls. When he saw me, he whispered something to the girls before he came over to me. He put his arm around me. Henry, my man! I’m so glad you could make it, he said.

Thanks. But, where are your parents?

Not here. They don’t know I’m throwing a party. So it’s my older brother who’s taking care of the phone calls and all the adult work.

Then who was that woman who answered the door?

Salsa. My maid. She knows how to dance and cook salsa. Her real name is Sylvery though.

Oh. I had a bad feeling about this party. But it was too late.

Anyway, Greg continued, if you want a tour of the house, feel free to walk around and check things out. I’ll call you when the party starts. Have fun. Then he walked back to the group of girls waiting or him. His house was HUGE.

I went up the long and wide staircase. When I got upstairs I came across Kimberly, who was walking out her room. She was wearing a beautiful pink dress, glass high heels, and her red hair flowed loosely past her shoulders. Wow, I thought. Hi, she said, as she walked past me and headed downstairs.

I could only smile back at her. Then I continued my little tour of the house. When I went back downstairs, the whole room was was filled with people. Okay, let’s get this party started! Greg announced. Everyone cheered. We started by eating and showing each other our costumes. Then we played a match game, and after, Spin the Bottle. It was fun. At the moment, we were playing Truth or Dare.

It was Greg’s turn to ask someone. Henry, he said, turning everyone’s attention to me. I was shocked, but I tried to look ready and calm.

Yes? I said slowly.

Truth or dare? I wanted to seem tough, so I chose Dare. Everyone said that Truth was for cowards. Okay, Greg said, with an evil smile. It seemed like he had been planning this for a while. I dare you, he said, super slowly, "to go over to Mrs. Garner’s, who lives down the block, and toilet paper her