KIMBERLEY GARCIA
YEARS AS MENTEE: 3
GRADE: Senior
HIGH SCHOOL: University Neighborhood High School
BORN: Queens, NY
LIVES: Queens, NY
PUBLICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS: Appelley Publishing 2019 Rising Stars Collection
MENTEE’S ANECDOTE: Whenever I have a story or poem for Rosie to see, she always gives me the best advice and continues to help me improve my story. I used to be self-conscious of sharing my work with others, but now, thanks to Rosie’s and my family’s support, I have become so much more open with my work that one of my poems was chosen to be published in the Appelley Publishing 2019 Rising Stars Collection. I know that whenever I’m stuck on an idea or having trouble with my essays, Rosie is always there to help me.
ROSALIND BLACK
YEARS AS MENTOR: 3
OCCUPATION: Administrative Assistant, HarperCollins Publishers
BORN: Minneapolis, MN
LIVES: Brooklyn, NY
MENTOR’S ANECDOTE: The day Kimberley told me about her first college acceptance letters, I felt my heart burst with so much pride and happiness. Kimberley works and has worked so hard over the course of these three years, and I can’t express how excited I am to see her continue her journey of exploring, learning, and growing. Between her incredible imagination and her penchant for trying new things, I am certain amazing adventures await her.
I wanted to write a story about Grey, a girl who remembers her past life while visiting the museum with her friends. In her past life, she was betrayed by someone close to her, but she decides not to let that fear control her in the present day.
As we head onward, Eddie pulls both mine and Lilia’s arms toward a painting.
“Hey, Eddie, where are you taking us?”
“Guys, you have to check this out!” Eddie yells, even though we are right behind her. Eddie has been my friend since before we were born, because our parents are friends. I befriended Lilia when I was in elementary school, and Lilia defended me and Eddie when boys used to pick on us. Whenever one of us is feeling down, we all have a sleepover. We don’t want them to suffer alone.
“This is Emperor Jaquan.” Eddie raises her hand toward the painting.
“So what,” Lilia says.
I stare at Emperor Jaquan. He stands tall, his long, blond hair seems like liquid gold. I feel a shiver run down my spine when I stare at his blue eyes for too long. His appearance is that of royalty: nothing too gaudy, a warrior’s sword, shoes to demonstrate his wealth, a strong, handsome jaw … and a clenched hand to choke you.
“Emperor Jaquan is rumored to be the greatest ruler of all time,” Eddie continues.
“How so?” Lilia says with her arms crossed and head tilted to the side.
I grab my arm, squeezing it very tightly. I don’t know why, but there is this anger inside of me suddenly bubbling up.
“Emperor Jaquan took the throne when he was in his late teens. Before that, the empire was totally corrupt due to his uncle who ruled with an iron fist,” Eddie says.
I clench my jaw.
“How did Emperor Jaquan get the throne?”
“Emperor Jaquan challenged his uncle Edo to a duel and Jaquan won.”
“That’s not true,” I say.
“What?” Both Lilia and Eddie say.
Somewhere inside of me I feel as if I’m forgetting something very important.
I ran, my legs moved, while my lungs breathed in and out. I was about to reach the garden when I felt something grab my ankle and I fell forward against the pavement. I pressed my arms against the floor in order to properly get up, but as I did I felt two ropes bind my hands that restricted my body to move. Axes were placed in front of me so I wouldn’t resist.
My body was dragged across the courtyard, and six soldiers surrounded me. I was taken to the courtyard where two people sat down at the table. One of the people stood up and descended from the small staircase—I saw it was my cousin Jaquan.
My childhood friend Jaquan, who always played silly pranks on me, helped me run away from the maid, and always gave me extra milk whenever I got sick.
I looked at Jaquan: to tell me that it was a lie—he would never do this. The harder I stared at him the more his eyes seemed hollow and lifeless.
I struggled to get free of the chains. My body felt feverish, my skin screamed in pain when the chain drew my blood.
“In order to save this land, you need to die, Princess Haiiro Coelus.”
“Jaquan, why are you doing this?” I asked shakily.
“The people of Coelus suffer while you and your family live the life of luxury here, ignorant of the pain you cause.”
“Lies! You are lying!” I yelled.
His eyes were cold and lifeless. The blue eyes that were once warm and gentle were gone. He stared at me as if I were nothing—a worthless person.
I felt a tug on my chain. I looked around and saw the soldiers around me were at a distance. One approached me with a spear in one hand. I couldn’t escape my awaiting death and just one last time I looked at Jaquan. My memories of the time we spent together filled my mind.
As the spear was about to pierce me, an arrow shot at the soldier and he fell to the ground in front of me. Another soldier grunted as he fell, too. Soon all the guards were down and an arrow hit the one next to Jaquan.
I heard the sound of footsteps next. Jaquan’s eyes widened when he saw the shooter at close range. The figure stood in front of me—Rua.
Rua’s grip tightened on his bow and Jaquan raised his sword. They began to fight, and Rua quickly knocked out Jaquan, ending their fight momentarily.
“Haiiro, we need to leave now.”
I looked down, refusing to meet Rua’s brown eyes. I crawled back. I couldn’t speak, afraid Rua might kill me.
Rua brushed his black hair back with one hand. Bending one knee so that his blue kimono dragged on the floor, he held his spear in one hand and reached his other out to me.
“Haiiro, I’m on your side.”
I extended my hand to him. I remembered the time when Rua was an orphan living all alone and I offered to let him live with me. Rua never once left my side when he moved into the palace.
“Rua, let’s go home.”
I grabbed onto Rua’s hand.
I look down to notice that two people are holding my hand.