Annabelle’s Loud Voice: Speaking Up on the Playground

The playground buzzed with the happy chaos of children playing. Swings creaked rhythmically, the metal chains singing a high-pitched song. The air smelled of freshly cut grass and the faint, sweet scent of the blooming honeysuckle climbing the fence. Lily, small for her age with bright, curious eyes and two bouncy pigtails, loved the merry-go-round best. She loved the dizzy feeling and the way the world blurred into a swirl of colors.

Continue reading

United We Stand: The Friendship Pact Against Bullies

Eddy zoomed down the sidewalk on his scooter, the wind whipping through his spiky, black hair. The setting sun painted the sky in shades of orange and pink, like a giant, melting popsicle. He could smell the exhaust from passing cars, but also the sweet scent of Mrs. Mala’s honeysuckle bushes that spilled over her fence. He was on his way to the park, the usual meeting spot for him and his best friends, Belle and Caroline.

Continue reading