@Blackfooted Bobcat, thank you for the critique. I appreciate it! Additionally, I will judge tommorrow as soon as I can-I'm sending this message ten minutes before I have to leave to go perform at a football game- I'm looking forward to getting back to you soon! 

I entered my story too! You didn't see it? 

Full, red lips. Soft, coco skin. Wide, gold flecked eyes. Gently curving figure. Long, flowing, chocolate hair. Small, dainty feet. Long lashes and button nose. A glowing aura. She demanded attention, from the golden tiara on top her head, down the flowing, water-like dress, to the golden slippers on her feet. Her carefully placed smile dimpled her cheeks, and the way she tilted her head made her hair slip gracefully over to one side. She seemed to float as she walked through the crowd, smiling and nodding to the mesmerized people. She left a mark upon everyone she came across, whether she had shared a few words with them, gave them a big smile, or simply glanced their way. If it was a cartoon, all of her subjects' eyes would’ve turned to hearts the second she stepped from the palace.

One remained untouched. Used to her beauty, and her attention seeking appearance, a boy sulked in the shadows. Tall, but gangly, with shaggy black bangs over dark eyes. Pale skin, thin lips that were always pressed together with dislike. Dark clothes helped him hide in the background. With his head tilted to the ground, no one would notice his dark eyes, so full of emotion, that it didn’t matter whether he was awkward or not. His eyes alone made him handsome. 

Despite trying to hide, despite the fact his eyes were on the floor, the beautiful girl’s eyes fell upon the tall figure by the wall. And the boy, feeling eyes on himself, glanced up uncertaintly. Their eyes locked. The girl froze, sucked into the depths of his eyes. She was lost in the swirl of emotion in those dark eyes, the love and hope and pain all in one. The boy was startled that she was, in fact, looking at him, paying attention to himself! Her luscious lips parted in surprise at the new emotion rising inside her. The boy smiled for the first time in years, a true smile that showed his straight, white teeth and made his eyes light up. He brushed his bangs away from his face and gave a singular nod. He then vanished into the shadows. The word, ‘wait’ was on her lips before she could stop it, and out of her mouth. The crowd blinked at her, but the boy was gone. The girl’s smile was gone, and her shoulders trembled before she straightened again, turned, and headed back for the castle. Just as she reached the doors, she heard a voice whisper in her ear. ‘Soon. don’t forget to pay attention to those around you, and not just yourself.’ she turned to see those beautiful eyes one more time, and then they were gone.

Here's my story for CHANGE

Season change

The snow melts away, bringing with it a warm southern breeze.

Soft, bright, little stalks of grass reach toward the weak sunlight. Purple flowers dance in that south breeze, their little heads bobbing. Animals are waking. Birds chirp even more than before, flocking back to their warm-weather homes. Bears blink blurrily at the blue above. Beavers slap their tails on the melted pond, happy to start work again. Deer slowly approach the meadow, weary of the rabbits feasting on the new clover. 

Small buds on trees unfurl, and new leaves are a soft green, fragile before strong. The sun grows stronger over the days, penetrating every corner. Almost. Here and there, patches of snow remain in the shadows, a sad snowman melts into the ground. Rain helps nature grow taller and stronger. It washes away the last slush in the dark.

The days grow steadily longer. The grass is vibrant, matching the colorful flowers. The leaves are darker green now, and everything is strong. The sun is shining hot now, the sky endlessly blue. Shadows beneath trees are sought for, where moss cushions your seat. The pond twinkles like diamonds in the light, the stream bubbling merrily as fish leap. In the height of this season, feet are cooled in the water, splashes are high as children laugh in the shallows. A curious squirrel watches, before joining a game of tag with the other squirrels.

It is nice to sit on a swing, hanging from an oak branch, and watch the sun set in behind the other trees, dipping the pond in lovely purples and reds. It is late when the sun finally disappears, but it isn’t anywhere close to dark. The stars are starting to appear when an owl hoots to another, and it calls an answering reply. The stars form constellations, but the full moon shines brighter than them all. Fireflies dance over the tall grass beside the pond, and a cool breeze is welcome after the sunny days.

The hot, sunny days are traded for cooler, more colorful ones. Berries, fruit, and nuts are hanging heavy and ripe from branches and vines. Animals hurry to pick and eat the food, some stuffing themselves full, others saving it for later in their dens. Feasts for all are plentiful, filling everyone's stomachs. 

The trees are aflame, with colors of red, orange, gold, and variations in between. The leaves swirl down from the smoky bark, urged on by the gathering northern winds. Geese squawk as they fly overhead, heading to the warmer south. Morning mist greets the sun, which is rising later and setting earlier. Rain is frequent, making the leaves fall even faster. Clouds usually are covering the blue sky, and the weather is growing colder.

The trees are bare. Grass is gone, muddy dirt in its place. The bears are trundling toward their dens. Most of the birds have flown away. The pond is quiet and still. Frost is on the ground and window sills when the mornings arrive. The woods are silent, waiting… waiting… 

The gathering clouds are gray, and the first flake touches the ground. Another follows, then another. Soon, the world is covered in white. As the snow falls, the pond ices. The stream stills. And everything is absolutely quiet, holding its breath. 

The silence is only broken occasionally, when a lonely bird tweets, or when children play, sledding, skating, and running in the white. But the laughter doesn’t last long outdoors. The weather is cold, the winds biting cold. In the house, it is warm and cozy.

A fire crackles in the hearth, blankets and arms wrap around cold limbs. Tea and coco are drunk to warm inside. Stories and jokes are spread to cheer spirits. The flakes outside pitter patter softly on the window pane. Cookies are sweet and joy is high,

The snow melts when the southern wind blows, chasing the north away. Grass, soft and green, sprouts. And the change starts again. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. A cycle repeated. Over, and over, and over again. Ever changing. Ever shifting. Change is always in the air. 

Should we extend the date since I'm the only one who entered?

Seeing that there's only one entry, I'll extend the date to December 7.

Welp I'm just going to extend the date to January 20, if anyone else wants to join.

Can I swap my original piece for a different one?