The Band  

Chatterbox: Inkwell

The Band  

The Band        

This is a book I am writing called: The Band, it is about some kids whose homes were burned and they have to make it on their own. I will post it in little parts, probably one each weekday, I hope you enjoy it! if people like it enough I might make it into an RP.

Part 1:

Julia was walking down the lane with a basket full of flowers in her hand, swinging it and whistling. She grinned as she looked at the beauty around her. It had been a hard winter but spring was glorious. She inhaled deeply, expecting to smell the sweet scent of violets and roses, but something sharp and bitter was there instead, smoke! She ran then, heart pounding, her bare feet slapping the ground. The flowers spilled out of her basket but she barely noticed. The smell got stronger the closer she got to home, and her fear got stronger too. Where she lived, smoke could only mean one thing: raiders.

Enjoy!

 

submitted by Isabel T., age 14, Michigan
(May 26, 2020 - 3:49 pm)

That would be so cool!!!!

submitted by Luminescence, age XI, California
(June 10, 2020 - 5:53 pm)

I'v already written the story and am post in it in part so that wouldn't work but maybe in another book? :)

 

            When they got back, they laid the fish out to dry and admired the shelf, which was actually quite well made, considering the situation. Dinner was prepared and eaten, and they set to work storing the food on their new shelf. Once they were done, they sat around the fire, watching the sun set, and admiring its golden rays. Corliss was sitting on a log next to Aiken, and she took a deep breath of fresh air, but the contented look on her face turned to one of disgust. 

            “Someone stinks!” She exclaimed, wrinkling her nose. Everyone sniffed the air, and then themselves, and looked up with frowns on their faces.

            “We all stink” Clay said, “We should take the day off tomorrow and go swimming.” Everyone agreed wholeheartedly. Strawberries were brought out for dessert, and their sweetness soon made everyone forget about the smell. It grew dark and they all went to bed.

            In the morning they headed to the river, laughing and enjoying the beautiful sunlight, which played through the trees and danced about their feet. They were soon at the river and jumped right into to the cool water, swimming and splashing each other. The whole of the morning was passed in this way, the only mishap being when Corliss thought she had a leech on her leg, and she ran shrieking out of the water, kicking her leg to try and shake it off. Her brothers rushed to save her from the fearsome leech, which turned out to be a little plant. Of course, this sparked Aiken’s imagination and he grabbed a slimy plant and brushed it against Corliss’s leg to get her to scream, which in turn caused Clay to grab him and dunk him in the water, which incited a war of dunking and splashing which finally ended when Clay finally admitted defeat.

            At noon they all laid out in the grass to let the sun dry their clothes. They munched on strawberries and fish, and looked up at the clouds, calling out suddenly when they saw one shaped like a rabbit, or a duck, or a house, or anything they could think of. Clay and Julia were right next to each other on the grass, and Clay turned to Julia and pointed at a small cloud floating high above their heads. 

“That one looks like a heart.” He said quietly to her, a small, shy smile hovering about his lips. She turned to him and met his gaze.

“Yeah, it does.” That was all she said, but something about how she said it made Clay feel sure she wasn’t mad at him anymore. 

submitted by Isabel T., age 14, Michigan
(June 11, 2020 - 11:38 am)

Also, I would strongly encourage that you put your ideas into your own book and write and post it on here, I would totally read it:) That way you don't have to wait for me to finish writng this one and then do another one, and I have plenty of story ideas that I can give you if you want.

submitted by Isabel T. , age 14, Michigan
(June 11, 2020 - 12:03 pm)

Okay I'm loving this so far!!! It's great writing and personally, my favorite character is Corliss. She makes me laugh, even though I guess she's a kind of wet blanket.

submitted by Luminescence, age XI, California
(June 11, 2020 - 3:37 pm)

Mmm, I think ClayXJulia, Clay's just being friendly to Corliss.

submitted by 123456
(June 11, 2020 - 4:12 pm)

EEK! please keep going!!! I love love LOVE it!

submitted by NoOneKnows, age ???, Everywhere
(June 11, 2020 - 4:39 pm)

After they had eaten, they sat for while just enjoying the warm sun on their skin. Aiken swallowed the last of his fish and made a face.

“This fish is good and all, but it’s getting old.” They all agreed, but it seemed there was no alternative. But then Alder spoke up. 

“I could make a snare to catch rabbits.” Julia looked at him in amazement. Was there anything he couldn’t do, any challenge he couldn’t overcome? Yet even as she thought this Clay took her hand in his, and she tore her thoughts away from Alder and squeezed Clay’s hand, ignoring the look she got from Corliss.

“That would be great.” Clay said, “We could use the skins for clothing and bags.” He turned to Julia. “Is there some way you could sew the skins?” She nodded, 

“I can use sharp fish bones, and if we cut some of the skins in thin strips, I can use that for thread.” Clay smiled at her, that warm, caring smile of his, and she blushed and smiled back. Corliss stood up then and walked away into the woods. Aiken stood to go after her, but Alder pulled him down.

“She’ll be fine, she just needs some time.” After that everyone sat awkwardly, unsure what to do. Finally, Clay stood up, letting go of Julia’s hand.

“Alder, why don’t we go work on that rabbit snare.” Alder nodded and stood, following Clay. Aiken called for them to wait for him and ran after them, leaving Julia alone. She sighed and lay back on the grass, listening to the splashing of the river until she drifted off to sleep.

She woke to the sound of feet moving towards her, she sat up and saw Corliss emerging from the woods, a triumphant smile on her face. She sat down next to Julia and opened up her hand. Julia gasped when she saw what was in it. There were two sharp needles, a spool of thread, and a thimble, all wrapped in a handkerchief.

submitted by Isabel T., age 14, Michigan
(June 12, 2020 - 12:00 pm)

please please please keep posting! I lobe it!!!!!!!!!!

submitted by NoOneKnows, age ???, Everywhere
(June 12, 2020 - 4:13 pm)

I think Julia and Clay.  I think you shouldn’t ship everyone, then you run the risk of romance taking over.  Unless that’s what you want, I get the feeling this isn’t a romance novel.  This is just my oppinion and I don’t mean to be critical or anything like that.  It’s a great story and I really like it. Please keep posting it!

submitted by Peregrine
(June 13, 2020 - 11:57 am)

“Where did you get those?!” Corliss smiled, clearly proud of herself. 

“When I was little, I used to take my doll out to a tree near our house, I would sit with her and sew her dresses. As I got older, I stopped playing with dolls, but I still went to the tree to do my sewing. On the day that the raiders came I was embroidering this handkerchief.” She motioned to the somewhat soiled handkerchief in her hand, and Julia saw that there were some partly finished roses on it. “When I heard the raiders, I dropped my work and ran to the house, and I forgot about this stuff. When you were talking about sewing, I remembered.” A shadow passed over her face and Julia took her hand.

“I miss my family to.” She said, a tear rolling down her face. Corliss began to cry too, and for a few minutes they just sat there, crying. Finally, Corliss sniffed and blinked away her tears.

“Thank you, and I’m sorry I’ve been so hard to be around lately, it’s just that I really miss my parents, and, well, somehow I feel guilty, like I should be with them, like It’s all my fault. I know it isn’t, and that my being with them wouldn’t help, but still…” Julia nodded,

“I understand, I fell the same way.” They shared a look of understanding, wordlessly vowing that they would be friends from that time on. Corliss sniffed and then gave Julia a mischievous grin.

“Sooo… you like Clay huh?” Julia blushed.

“It isn’t anything official, but… yes, and he likes me.” She looked at the ground, then suddenly looked up again, her eyes wide.

“I didn’t mean it like, well I mean, I-I know you like him and.” She paused, flustered. Corliss laughed.

“That’s ok, it was just a crush, I mean, I still like him but… I think you guys are great together.” Julia smiled.

“That means a lot to me, thanks.” Corliss nodded then got up, offering Julia a hand.

“Let’s go see what the boys are doing.” She said. Julia took her hand and stood up.

“Let’s.”

submitted by Isabel T., age 14, Michigan
(June 13, 2020 - 2:09 pm)

*mouth drops open in awe*

AHHHHHH IT'S SO SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!

Please keep writing!!!!  

submitted by Luminescence, age XI, California
(June 13, 2020 - 2:42 pm)

It’s getting so good!  I actually like Corliss, I think she’s nice.

submitted by Peregrine
(June 14, 2020 - 10:32 am)

They found three proud boys and a snare waiting for them. Alder explained how the snare worked and said he would check it in the morning. In the meanwhile, everyone was getting hungry and they headed back to the cave.

Dinner was served and eaten, then everyone sat around the fire and talked.

Alder leaned back with a yawn. “Well, I’ve got to say, Corliss is actually a really good cook.” Everyone nodded in agreement, but Corliss shook her head.

“Julia helped, and she knew all the right seasonings to put in.” Clay smiled at Julia, clearly proud. Julia looked at Corliss and shook her head. 

“You give me to much credit, but thanks.” Alder glanced at them with a knowing look in his eyes. 

“So, you’re friends now?” They nodded, then showed everyone what Corliss had brought back with her. After they had all stopped exclaiming over the find. Clay cleared his throat and looked at Julia.

“Well, it’s getting late we should all go to bed.” Everyone nodded and got up, but clay stopped Julia. 

“I need to talk to you.” She nodded, her face growing serious.

“What’s wrong?” He smiled.

“Nothing’s wrong, I just need to talk to you quick.” They sat down and Clay looked Julia in the eye.

“Julia, we’ve known each other since we were kids, and, well, we’ve always been good friends. I know that you like me, and I like you too, a lot, just, as a friend. I’ve been thinking a lot and I don’t know about you, but I think we should just be friends.” Julia stared into the fire, not sure whether she was happy or sad, but she did know one thing, she agreed.

“Clay, as hard as this is, I think your right.” He nodded and let out a sigh of relief.

“Friends?” He asked, holding out his hand. Julia nodded and took it.

“Friends.”

They went to bed, and Julia felt a weight lift off her mind. She slept well that night.

submitted by Isabel T., age 14, Michigan
(June 15, 2020 - 6:17 pm)

Surprise twist!  I didn’t expect it at all.  But I like it.  Please keep posting!

submitted by Peregrine
(June 16, 2020 - 11:14 am)

It was a bit of an awkward morning, but once breakfast was eaten Julia and Corliss were able to slip away and talk.

“So, did something happen last night with you and Clay?” Julia sighed.

“Yeah, we decided to just be friends.” Corliss gave Julia a sympathetic look and put her arm around her shoulder.

“That must be hard.” 

“It is, but I think it was the right choice, were better as friends.” Corliss nodded.

“Well, I don’t mean to seem insensitive, but I can’t help feeling kind of happy this happened.” Julia laughed.

“You guys would be perfect together, and truth be told I’m kind of happy about this too.” Corliss frowned. 

“Why?” Julia blushed and looked at the ground.

“Well, to be honest, I kind of like Alder.” Corliss’s eyes got big, and she shook her head.

“I never would’ve guessed! And, not give away any secrets or anything, but I think Alder might like you, at least a little.” Julia tried to keep back her smile, but she was clearly quite happy to hear this. 

“Speaking of Alder, here he comes now.” Corliss nodded towards Alder as he came out of the trees. He glanced at them and looked a bit embarrassed.

“I hope I’m not interrupting you, I just wanted to ask if Julia wanted to go check the snare with me.” Corliss grinned and gave Julia a nudge, which got her a quick glare.

“I’d love to, thanks for asking.” Alder nodded and walked in the direction of the trap, Julia following.

When they got there, they found a rabbit in it. Alder smiled triumphantly and slung it over his shoulder. 

“Hey Julia, can you help me reset it?” Julia nodded and he showed her how to. Once his hand brushed hers and they both glanced up, blushes spreading on their cheeks. Their eyes met and then both immediately looked right back down at their work. Once they were finished they headed back to camp to show everyone their prize.

submitted by Isabel T., age 14, Michigan
(June 16, 2020 - 2:31 pm)