"Love" by Justin Turner

They say it makes the world go round. People do crazy things for it. It's a universal feeling that exists across all cultures and even seems to exist within other animals. It's love.

It's funny how a few neurotransmitters firing off can bring people together and tear them apart. How the hormones in the body can make you feel pain without physical damage, cause war, or give you butterflies. Love is simply a part of biology yet it holds so much power.

I was playing with my baby cousin the other day and he was being his cheeky adorable self when I scooped him off the floor to get dinner and gave him a hug.

"Why did you give me a hug?" his two year old accent said.

"Because I love you."

"Why?"

"Why do I love you?"

"Yeah."

I was at a loss. Why does anybody love anyone?

"Because you're awesome, smart, and family."

"Okay."

But it wasn't okay. That wasn’t the actual answer. But it was the only thing that came to mind. Why do we love people? What makes us love others? There are so many different forms and situations, but I couldn't seem to put my finger on the reason why we love people. While my little philosopher sat and ate his soup I tried to think of a solution. What is the commonality between the people and things I love?

I've had a bit of time to think since then and I think that loving someone has to do with the experiences you have with that person. This of course refutes love at first sight, but just like the English language there are always exceptions. There was a study done recently that said that to can fall in love with anyone. All you had to do is answer some questions to each other and bam instant love. In our romanticized world it's hard to believe that there may not be a thing as a "one true love" and maybe that's clouding my judgement but I'm inclined to believe there's more to love than just a questionnaire. It's the memories you make... Maybe it isn't a complete answer but for now it will suffice. I have a whole life left to figure it out. 

"Paranoid" by Justin Turner

The world around me slows as I head down the path away from school at 10 in the morning.  Every bird chirp and gust of wind makes me jump.  Trying not to break in a nervous I continue.  It’s my first time skipping class.  My heart races as I continue.  What if I get caught?  Or my gym teacher actually decides to take attendance? My record would be in ruins! I shakily move on and as I round the corner of the aging brick building.  My heart stops.  Movement.  Human movement.  I run back inside and dash into the library, before noticing that a squirrel was just crossing the street.  Phew. Then I realize my fatal mistake.  I’m in the library…without a pass.  I begin to think.  A million thoughts flood in my head.  Do I head back out? No I’ll look suspicious.  Tell them the truth? No way!  My mind swirls, before I realize, no one has said anything to me, the kid just standing at the front desk freaking out.  In fact there is no librarian there.  I step in, ninja-like; a little worried as to where they might be.  At least one is always here.  Then I see the familiar green backpack of Ms. Loot, the head librarian.  Something must have happened.  I enter to investigate.  I crawl behind the safety of the front desk, second guessing my decision.  I dash behind the shelf of new releases and towards the back of the library.  The fiction section is strangely empty.  I head there, curiosity overriding my fear.  Dust outlines the absence of the books that were there.  Someone whispers.  I instinctively drop to the ground.  While army crawling I cautiously peer around the bookshelf to see where the noise was coming from.  Ms. Denes, the administrator, and Mr. Traps, my chemistry teacher, were in a heated conversation pointing at the bookshelf several times.  Or were they pointing at me? I wasn’t sure because the librarians came out of the back room and the two staff members turn to speak to them.  This was my chance to get out.  I tiptoe toward the exit, but let out a quick but bloodcurdling scream when the fire alarm sounds.   I cover my mouth and dash out as fast as I could.  I snuck into the crowd of puzzled students catching the attention of my good friend Nancy.  “There’s been a fire on the football field!” Nandy says.  My eyes widen as I begin to put together the puzzle pieces.  Good thing I didn’t leave because I most certainly don’t want to be a suspect.  I don’t think I’ll ever try to skip again; I just can’t take this stress.

"Mirror's Lament" by Justin Turner

What am I?  A slave. A slave to everything you do, and everything you say.  I have no control, no reason as to why I must listen to you and mimic what you say.  I don’t know your thoughts, but here I am at your command.  I’ll do what you wish, but only because I can’t do otherwise.  You make the decisions and you get to enjoy them, while I, doing my perfect impression of you, get to spend the time wondering why.  But what am I to do?  I’m only your reflection.  I’m in every mirror, shiny object, or pond you pass by.  You look at me when you pick out our imperfections, or when you’re brushing your teeth.  Other times, you don’t even notice me as I ripple through the slow current of the stream.  I know you like no other, yet know nothing about you.  Your actions are a mystery, but I know exactly what you’ll do.  We’ve grown up together, spent every moment of our lives together, but you’ve never actually talked to me.

What I’d do for some control, a chance to think for my own.  I’ve copied your mistakes all your life; I want to make my own.  I want to know what it’s like to kiss someone you love, and go exploring for something that I’m passionate for!  I want that power to think for myself.  One day.  One day you’ll see me doing what I want.  One day I’ll run my fingers through grass, and laugh at something funny.  Truth is I may be you, but you are definitely not me.  One day I’ll break the bondage of the reflections of the world, and you’ll see what it’s like to be in our shoes.  One day. 

"Battle of the Brains" by Justin Turner

Prompt: What does your sleeping dreaming mid think in the moments before you wake up? What are its last hopes, fears, or promises to itself as the alarm goes up and it feels itself vanishing?

            Ugh. 5:56. Four more minutes before I have to deal with him.  I don’t have time for his utterly happy thoughts or his complete laziness. There is work to be done, thinking to do!

            5:59. Here we go. 6:00. “Beep! Beep! Beep!”  I can feel Justin begin to move. Come on shut it off. Just a few steps to your alarm.  I try my best to keep him in a groggy state of mind as he slowly inches toward the alarm clock.  Just a few more steps!  I can feel my power over him slowly slip away as my pesky neighbor begins his day.  No. I’m not done yet.  Justin slams the alarm clock and as per usual I coax him back to bed. “Come on just more minutes,” I think to him.  After studying for chemistry the night before, he can’t resist and is soon back on his bed dreaming.  Phew.  He hadn’t finished solving his problem yet. Now he has a few extra minutes before he really has to go.  However I now have my own problem to deal with. 

            “Good morning!” I roll Justin’s eyes in his sleep as my arch nemesis comes for his turn. “How are you today?”

“I was fine until you came along,” I said expressionless.

He lets out a staged laugh, “Looks like you’ve taken some extra time again. You do realize it’s my turn.  There are things for Justin to do and learn you know.”

“No. You say that every morning, yet you still manage to make him procrastinate and watch TV instead of doing something truly productive; as a result of that you cut into my time at night when he’s trying to vigorously catch up because you just had to enjoy every little thing but what he needs to do. I’m the only one actually doing anything productive around here.  Just listen to what he’s dreaming about. He’s problem solving, without your distractions I might add.”

He smiles, and says, “He’s not learning anything! I supply those problems you so desperately want him to fix.  Listen to yourself; you need me!  I’ll give you until 6:15 today, but I expect an awake boy tomorrow at 6.”

“Fine,” I say full well knowing that tomorrow was Saturday and not even he wanted to work that early in the morning.  He disappears for a little while at least and I peacefully sit back and watch the beauty of sleep at work.

"Morning" by Justin Turner

At six o'clock I wake up to the annoying beep of my five-minute fast alarm clock and groggily get up into the seemingly cold air only to hit the snooze button and tumble back a few steps into my safe, cozy, and warm bed. Just as I drift back to sleep however, "BEEP BEEP BEEP." Once again I stumble out of bed, but this time shut off the alarm completely. I turn on the lights to avoid falling back asleep, and get dressed, literally just throwing something on and then I head out into the hall. After a quick stop at the restroom I head to the kitchen where my mom is waiting and making my youngest sister's and her lunches. I greet her with a hug and an Italian "Good Morning" and set off to make breakfast. I pick out the Cheerios and get a bowl and pour the milk. After such a "filling" breakfast it's 6:20. Time to wake up my sister. Usually I go downstairs and physically shake her  to wake her, but I'm feeling extra lazy today so I just knock on the wall next to her room. No reply but I continue my schedule because technically, it's her responsibility to get up on her own.

I head back to my messy room and grab last night's homework off my desk and stuff it into a binder and into my bag. Then I mentally go through a list of what classes I have today and what I need including after school activities, and I pack accordingly. Today is a Black day, so I go through my schedule. After that I go to the kitchen and drink some Red Zinger tea with honey and pack a sandwich, a granola bar, and an apple for lunch. I then knock on the wall again and out comes my sister, all set to go. Apparently she had been up the entire time but just didn't return my knocks.

I grab a hoodie and we head outside towards the bus stop. The brisk, cold air hits us, and any hint of grogginess is wiped away. We begin our five minute trek to the bus stop talking and chatting as we pass sleeping houses and the dark forest next to us. Leaves and acorns are scattered all over the sidewalk and our feet make crunching sounds. I look at my watch: 6:41. We begin to sprint. Our backpacks sway in time behind us. At 6:43  the bus stop is just in sight and we slow to a walk so no one sees us running. Wouldn't want to embarrass ourselves now would we?

We arrive at the bus stop only to have thirty seconds of idle chit chat before the bus arrives. Still catching our breath we climb aboard and I think of how close that was. I find a seat and sit down. I then realize...that I left my lunch on the kitchen counter.