Next up, 'Phoebe Cheats'! Or does she? Anyway, enjoy!
Inside Mr. Simmons' classroom, we were getting near the final hour of our school day as Mr. Simmons was smiling, holding our history reports.
"Now, class, I've got all your history reports on your American president that you have studied. Some of you did an extraordinary job, others... they can do better, but I'm sure there's room for improvement." Mr. Simmons smiled. "However, there is ONE report that has caught my eye... a very unique report on Abraham Lincoln..."
Next to me, Phoebe gasped as she said, "That must be mine!"
"This report on Abraham Lincoln just inspired me so much, it deserves a VERY special place on the bulletin board." Mr. Simmons smiled as he picked out the paper and put it on the bulletin board.
"Bulletin board, bulletin board..." Phoebe was smiling eagerly as I rolled my eyes.
"The author of this report is our very own... Sheena!" Mr. Simmons smiled.
My eyes widened in shock as Phoebe gasped. "Oh my..."
"Sheena, get up and take a bow." Mr. Simmons said as the rest of the class cheered, Sheena got up and smiled to everyone.
I looked over to Phoebe as I asked, "Oh, Phoebe, are you okay? You need a drink after school?"
Phoebe took a deep breath. "You know what, that's fine. It's just one thing. No big deal. I still have my Citizens of the Month award..." Phoebe whispered to herself.
After handing over our history reports (I got an B plus on mine... I am so lucky to have Arnold as a geography/history partner...), Mr. Simmons smiled as he said, "Now, I'm very pleased to announce our Citizens of the Month."
Phoebe crossed her fingers as I rolled my eyes. "Phoebe, you win that EVERY month..."
"...Gerald, Nadine and Harold!" Mr. Simmons smiled.
"Gerald, Harold and WHO?" Phoebe gasped.
"Nadine?" I turned towards Nadine, who took a bow.
Nadine shrugged as she said, "I helped out in an animal shelter on Sunday. It was a very good report I did. I honestly didn't think that would get a Citizens of the Month."
"Congratulations, Nadine!" I smiled... as I then noticed Phoebe glaring at me. "Oh, uh, sorry for your loss, Phoebe."
Phoebe looked down, disappointed. She really wanted that Citizens of the Month award, from the looks on her face.
"Now then, class, I'm very excited about our next project!" Mr. Simmons smiled. "This is a poetry contest!"
Everyone groaned, even me. Mr. Simmons then picked up a nearby statue of an older woman, showing it to us. "Now, the author of the best poem will take home this life-like statue of Emily Dickinson."
My eyes widened in shock. Emily Dickinson? Wasn't that what Deep Voice told me to read about? I paused as I then heard Phoebe say, "I must win this contest, Rhonda!"
I shook my head as I smiled, "Aw, Phoebe, you're not being competitive again, are you?"
"Rhonda!" Phoebe whispered. "I am offended by the implication! I am SIMPLY expressing a natural curiosity!"
"All right, all right, chill out." I smiled as we heard the bell ring.
"Oh, is it the bell already? Very well, class, until we meet again on Monday, class is dismissed. Your poems are due on Monday!" Mr. Simmons said as we started to get up and collect our books. "So try your best, and remember, every poem should be unique in your own way!"
"Sorry about that, Phoebe, but I guess my animal report was great..." Nadine shrugged as me, her and Phoebe were walking out of school.
"You know what? That's fine." Phoebe smiled. "Because I'm going to write of the greatest poems known to mankind! Nothing can best it!"
"Phoebe, don't be overconfident. Remember, overconfidence goes straight to your head." I told her. "Besides, it's not healthy for you to be the first person to answer each question. Sure, it pays to be smart. It's nice you know all the answers. But eventually, people are going to declare you as a 'know-it-all'."
"Maybe I like being a know-it-all." Phoebe crossed her arms.
"What Rhonda is trying to tell you is, don't stress yourself out. We're all proud of you, either way. Even your parents are proud." Nadine smiled.
"Well, I still want to try, regardless!" Phoebe said. "You girls watch. Tomorrow, I'm going to show you the poem I'm entering for the contest!"
"Have fun!" I said as Phoebe started to head out for home.
"Hey Rhonda, you want to go out and see if we can catch a few more bugs?" Nadine said.
"Thanks, Nadine, but actually, I'm planning on going to the library." I said.
"Whatever for?" Nadine asked.
"This Emily Dickinson woman... the one that Mr. Simmons showed us... she intrigues me a little bit." I said. "I want to read something about her. But I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay, Rhonda." Nadine said as she pulled her butterfly net out of her backpack. "See you later."
I nodded as we both went our separate ways.
As soon as I got to the library, I sighed for a bit as I decided to look for a book on Emily Dickinson. Pretty soon, after some time researching, I found a book on Emily Dickinson's poems. I picked it up as I started flipping through the pages. I eventually found the bell poem.
I blinked as I read it. It wasn't really anything much... just a standard love poem. I didn't understand why Deep Voice wanted me to read this. Whatever it was, though, it was probably important...
It was then I was aware of another headache that came. I looked around, expecting Olga... but I didn't see her. That was strange.
"Excuse me, miss?"
It was then I noticed a person walking right to me. Seemed to be a girl, around my age. Red hair, in braids. She had freckles on her face, and she seemed to be wearing a green dress. I raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Seemed to be a simple farm girl.
"I'm ever so sorry to disturb you, but I was exploring the library in this big city, and I got a little lost. You wouldn't happen to know where the exit is, do you?" The girl asked.
I paused, looking at the girl a bit before shrugging. "Eh. Sure. I can help you out."
"Oh, thank you ever so much!" The girl smiled.
"It's no trouble." I said as I came down. "Visiting a cousin that lives in the city?"
"Well, no, actually, I previously moved in with my daddy the other day." The girl explained as we started to walk. "I'm just taking my time now to explore this ever so wonderful city. My daddy is doing his best to get me into a school here. He thinks he's got one that will suit my educational needs, but I have high hopes."
"Hmmm..." I paused. "I take it you're from the country then, by your accent?"
"Well, in a way, yes." The girl explained. "I'm actually from a farming community from Pleasantville. My daddy and I had an ever so lovely farm there... well... we did..."
"What happened?" I asked, out of curiosity.
"Well, my mom used to help manage the farm, but about a year or so ago..." The girl looked down. "Well, I don't like to dwell on the past... but long story short, she's no longer with us. Daddy and I couldn't keep the farm, so we had to move to the big city until my dad can get himself a secure job... he's hoping the big city will ever so give him that chance."
I smiled to her and said, "Hey, I hope he does."
The girl smiled. "So do I. I'm also hoping to make some new friends at the school once I get started, it would be ever so much fun if I got some new friends."
"Hey, maybe you'll get that chance. There are some girls that aren't as bad..." I said as we reached the exit door to the library.
"I do hope you are ever so right..." The girl said.
I paused as I asked, "Why do you say 'ever so' in every sentence?"
"I guess it's a term I picked up from my mom." The girl explained as we went outside. "It's just an ever so part of who I am."
"Okay, okay, I won't judge you, then." I said. "Well, here you go, kid. Hopefully, you like the big city."
"I think I will." The girl smiled. "Oh, I ever do so hope we can meet up again. Maybe we'll be in the same school."
"Plausible... but not likely." I shrugged. "I gotta get going to home. See you around... hey, you know, I never got your name. My name is Rhonda. Rhonda Wellington Lloyd."
The girl shook hands with me as she said, "I am ever so charmed to meet you, Rhonda. My name is Lila. Lila Sawyer."
"Hmmm..." I said. "Nice name, Lila."
"Yours is an ever so pretty name, Rhonda." Lila smiled. "Good-bye."
"Bye, Lila." I said as we started to part.
As soon as I was about a few meters away from Lila, my headache went away. Odd... I never even saw Olga this whole time... maybe she was here and I missed her? Oh well... maybe I'll run into Olga next time...
As soon as I was at home and getting ready for bed, I couldn't help but think about today. I read the poem by Emily Dickinson, but why just a standard love poem? What was I missing? I didn't really get it...
On the other hand, there was that Lila girl I ran into. A simple country girl who just moved in to the big city? I've heard some stories like that before, but I never thought I would live to actually see it. I probably won't see her again, but still, she did seemed to be pretty interesting...
Oh well, I yawned as I decided to take off my glasses and get ready for bed. Tomorrow was a Saturday, and I love Saturdays!
On Saturday afternoon, I was over at the park where Nadine and Phoebe said they would meet me. As soon as I arrived at the park, I spotted Nadine and Phoebe talking as I quickly joined the conversation. "Hey, girls."
"Hi, Rhonda!" Phoebe and Nadine smiled.
"Hey, Rhonda, Phoebe just told me about her brand new poem she just wrote up for the contest." Nadine smiled.
"Really?" I said as I sat down between them. "You really wrote a good poem, Phoebe?"
Phoebe blushed a little as she said, "I got a little... inspired, yes."
"Cool!" I smiled. "You think this'll win you the poetry contest."
"I certainly hope so." Phoebe said as she dug around in her backpack that she brought with her, and pulled it out.
I decided to read it as I looked it over. It was pretty good, Phoebe was really a great poet, the name ringing like a bell in he- wait a minute...
I looked closely at the poem as I read it over, suddenly remembering I read this before. "Phoebe... this is Emily Dickinson's poem."
Phoebe's eyes widened as she was trying to divert them away from me. "Uh... it is?"
"Huh?" Nadine blinked as I handed it to her.
"Yeah, name ringing like a bell in the heart? Emily Dickinson wrote that! In fact, all of this is from that one poem Emily Dickinson did!" I said, suddenly realizing WHY Deep Voice wanted me to read Emily Dickinson. "Phoebe, did you give us the wrong poem?"
"Uh... I guess I did... silly me..." Phoebe said, but I know she was diverting her eyes.
"Phoebe... you're diverting your eyes." I sighed. "Look at us straight."
Phoebe tried, but she couldn't. "Am I diverting my eyes? I had no-"
"Phoebe... why did you sign your name under the poem if it was Emily Dickinson's?" Nadine said, pointed to her poem.
"Well..." Phoebe started... then she started to break down. "Okay, okay, I admit it! I couldn't think up of anything. I tried, I really did, but I'm not a very good poet! Emily Dickinson was a better poet than I was! I planned on using the book for a little inspiration, but then... I just ended up copying from the book! Please don't be mad!"
Me and Nadine looked at each other, feeling sorry for poor Phoebe as I consoled her. "Phoebe, honey, relax... nobody is blaming you. But copying a poem word for word is still wrong. It's blatant plagiarism, and if anybody caught it, you'd be in big trouble..."
"I know..." Phoebe said.
"Phoebe... I don't know what goes on in your mind, but come on, nobody's perfect." Nadine said. "Besides, sometimes, writing poetry isn't easy. But what matters is that you try your best. That's what's important."
"I guess that's true..." Phoebe said, sniffling a little.
"Phoebe, you just need a new inspiration, that's all..." I said, hugging her as she hugged me back. "If you want some help, just talk to us, okay?"
Phoebe looked up to us as she smiled. "I... do need some help..."
I smiled. "Great! Tell you what. How about we go over to your house and we'll start anew with your poem. Does that sound good?"
Phoebe smiled. "Thanks, Rhonda."
I smiled as Nadine nodded. "No problem."
As soon as we were in Phoebe's home, in her room, I turned to her as Nadine sat on Phoebe's bed. "Okay, if you want to have a good poem, you first need to get some inspiration. BESIDES books."
"Right." Phoebe said as she readied her paper.
"So, what inspires you?" Nadine asked.
"Well..." Phoebe paused. "I'm always inspired by you girls."
"Aw..." Me and Nadine smiled.
"There's also my parents..." Phoebe smiled as she decided to think, writing down her inspirations on paper. "I guess you can say Gerald inspires me..."
"Of course he does, you like him!" Nadine smirked.
"Shut up." Phoebe sighed. "Anyway... studying always brings out inspiration... music too."
"Oh yes... Ronnie Matthews." I rolled my eyes. "You always loved his music..."
"Being good at fencing always inspired me as well." Phoebe shrugged as she finished her list. "And... that's all I can think of."
"Now, using these inspirations, I'm sure one of them will turn out to be a very good poem." I said. "It's going to take a little time, but I'm sure in time, you'll get it down."
Phoebe nodded as she paused looking at her inspirations on her list. She smiled as she started to write something down. She paused as she started to think about another thing. She snapped her fingers as she wrote down another line. She paused as she wrote down another line... then paused as she asked us, "What rhymes with fighting?"
"Lighting, sighting, plighting..." Nadine said. "It's your choice."
Phoebe smiled. "Oh, I like sighting. I'll do that one!"
Phoebe then resumed writing as she nodded. A few moments later, Phoebe nodded. "Okay, girls, tell me what you think."
Nadine and I gathered around as Phoebe read her poem.
"Two friends I have, they are never apart.
Like my parents, they give me their own heart,
A heart in which to love and live.
Sometimes they are friendly, sometimes they're fighting,
But in the end I know, they have their eyes sighting
On a nice new CD-Rom five!
They give, they share, they never give up,
Neither do I, not now, when I top
My brand new life on my pretty hair!
Will we be best friends forever? Who knows?
But no matter what happens, rain or snow,
We'll be with each other, here and there!"
Phoebe smiled as we applauded.
"That's great, Phoebe!" I smiled. "Could use a little touch-up, but you're getting good help."
"Good job, Phoebe." Nadine said. "I'm sure with a little touch-up, it'll be a shoo-in for the contest."
Phoebe smiled as she hugged us. "Thanks, girls. I'm feeling a little better."
"Aren't you glad I talked you out of turning in that plagiarized poem?" I smiled.
"I am..." Phoebe said, looking over her brand new poem. "To think, I almost made a dumb mistake like that."
I smiled. It felt pretty good to help out my friends.
"One thing I don't get, Rhonda." Phoebe said as me and Nadine were about to leave.
"What's that?" I asked.
"How did you even know I plagiarized the first poem?" Phoebe asked. "When did you find time to read Emily Dickinson?"
"I read some of her poetry at the library yesterday." I explained. "I was curious to know who she was."
"Oh..." Phoebe said. "Well, that clears it up."
"You girls want to hang out again tomorrow?" I asked.
"Sure!" Nadine smiled.
"That sounds like fun!" Phoebe smiled.
"Great!" I said. "See you girls tomorrow!"
As soon as I said my good-byes to Phoebe and Nadine, I went on my merry way. All in all, I'm glad I saved Phoebe from making a dreadful mistake. I'm glad Deep Voice told me all about Emily Dickinson... whatever his or her future powers held, I prevented it from happening. Well, I felt good either way...
And tomorrow was going to be another great day! For now... I better start on my own poem... it may not be as good as Phoebe's, but I'm sure I can at least muster something...
That's the seventy-sixth episode! How do you like it? And yes, I decided to introduce Lila in this chapter! Why? You'll see... in the next chapter! Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!