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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Make Hay While the Sun Shines" (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (03/06/08)
Brianna looked with disdain and curiosity at Randi, who sat hunched over her desk in the back of the room, her jet-black, greasy hair falling across her face. Randi dressed all in black, wore clunky military boots, drew swastikas on her notebooks and smelled bad. Needless to say, she didn’t have any friends. She reminded Brianna of Allison from the Breakfast Club. As Brianna watched her, she heard a voice urging her to approach her. She knew who’s voice it was and she didn’t want to listen. She turned back to her Social Studies homework and dismissed the urging.

The next day, as Brianna was taking her seat in Study Hall, next to her friends, Sarah and Natalie, Sarah whispered, “What’s the deal with Randi? She was normal last year. What happened?”

“I know,” giggled Natalie. “She stinks too. Be careful not to walk by her.”

Brianna laughed along with her friends, but felt guilty for doing so. She knew Randi needed someone to reach out to her. She just didn’t want to be the one to do it.

Wednesday it happened again. Brianna was minding her own business in class, when out of the blue, she felt the Lord nudging her conscience. “She’s lonely. She needs someone to tell her about me. How I love her.”

But, Lord, she’s scary and weird. Can’t someone else do it? Brianna thought. She glanced over at Randi, who had her head buried deep in a science fiction book. Brianna shuddered. She wouldn’t even know what to say to her if she did approach her. And what would her friends think? She knew that God was asking her to be a witness but she just didn’t feel ready. Maybe she would do it tomorrow.

Definitely tomorrow, Lord, Brianna promised on Thursday as she tried to focus on her math. The Lord was not leaving her alone about it. You’re right, Brianna conceded. She just needs someone to talk to. She really looks like she’s hurting, so tomorrow after class, I’ll catch up with her and make conversation. Give me the right words and the right timing, Lord, Brianna prayed. But today I have Cheer practice, so it will have to be tomorrow.

Friday, in first period, Brianna noticed something strange about Mr. Cowell when he walked in. A strange sensation passed over her and she watched as her teacher faced the class silently. Instead of calling them to attention as normal, he just stared out into their faces, his eyes looking surprised and sad. A hush fell across the room, as the students sensed something wrong. “Students,” he said finally, “Something’s happened. Last night, one of our students was in a fatal car accident.”

A collective gasp could be heard, but Brianna frantically turned behind her. No! Oh, no! Randi wasn’t at her desk. Mr. Cowell continued, his voice shaking slightly “The student was Randi Atkinson. There will be grief counseling at lunch and all next week for those of you who knew her and were friends with her.”

Brianna felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. She was going to talk to Randi today. She was. Now it was too late. How could she really be gone? She’d just been here yesterday, Brianna had just seen her. It didn’t make sense. The other students began to talk amongst themselves, turning to each other, talking about what they’d known about Randi, talking about how they couldn’t believe it But Brianna said nothing. She just put her head on her desk and wept.
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This article has been read 751 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Fiona Dorothy Stevenson
03/13/08
Having been in a similar situation to Brianna this story brings memory flooding back - memory and regret even forty years on. God bless you, Writer. Keep it up.
Joanne Sher 
03/13/08
You really NAILED the topic with this one, and I SO felt for your MC. Nice job.
Jan Ackerson
03/13/08
Oh, this is good--have the teens in your church do a discussion on this one! You nailed teenage behavior and feelings.

FYI--"who's" means "who is". You wanted "whose". And your title may have given away a bit too much.

This is absolutely perfect for this week's topic.
Shelley Ledfors
03/14/08
Excellent! Although I had a "feeling" about how it would end (perhaps partly because of your title), it was a great example of the subject...and really great in terms of teen thinking / behavior. Thanks.
Marilyn Schnepp 
03/17/08
So sad, so very sad. My tears first started to fall immediately when the teacher said something about "help counselling" for those who were her friends - and she had none. A great example written here of our Topic this week...and the impact that, for some, there is no tomorrow. Well told, well written, and well received! Thank you!