Diego looked over the edge. He thought about how far the ground was. The wind gusted. Whitney turned to him and said, "It's beautiful up here, huh?" Diego could not think about beauty. All he could think about was not falling off the edge. He said, "Yeah, Whitney, it really is beautiful. Hey, how long do you want to stay up here?" Whitney laughed and said, "Let's stay up here the rest of our lives!" Diego grimaced. He was afraid that this scenario was all too likely.

We stared at the Bubblegum Fortress from the mouth of the Cotton Candy Woods. The gumdrop soldiers were scurrying atop their sugar-coated ramparts. I wouldn't be surprised if someone had tipped them off. Chet Eagle approached me and said, "What now, Commander Candy?" I thought about it for a second. "Well, they get better prepared with each passing second, so let's attack now." Chet Eagle bowed and said, "As you wish, Commander Candy."

To Make French Toast:

First, take out a skillet to cook and turn the stove on low. Second, you will melt the butter in the pan and stir it with a spatula. Third, beat the eggs. Fourth, lay the bread, white or wheat, on both sides in the eggs. Fifth, sit the bread on top of butter for 30 seconds and then turn over. Now you have a slice of French toast, repeat.

“Do you love candy?” I asked my friend Roxis. I always make friends with other people.

Life of a Circus Performer by Brett Reyes. The trapeze artist stood high on the platform. The whole crowd was silent. The trapeze artist rubbed his hands on his knees, grabbed the flying trapeze, and sprung into the air. Just as the trapeze had swung its

full length, the trapeze artist released his grip and did a triple flip. He narrowly caught a second trapeze bar and swung from it by his legs. The crowd cheered. Another trapeze artist ascended the platform.

Daniel was nervous about going to Patricia's birthday party. He was afraid that he wouldn't know anyone but Patricia, and she would be so busy with her guests. "Mom, I don't want to go to the party." Daniel's mother furrowed her brow and said, "Daniel, we already told her we'd be there. We bought her a present. We have to go and give it to her." Daniel shook his head. He still didn't want to go. His mom put her hand on his shoulder.

Some dark night Shelly said, “I hate squirrels,” but really, she loved them. Carol said, “They smell,” but really, she loved them too. Both of them thought that squirrels were pretty cute.

Butch dug his spurs into his horse and she kicked up dust. "Giddy up!" he said. I was riding right behind him, but I was a much less capable rider. "Butch, could you wait up for me?" I asked. He didn't. I kicked my horse and tried to get her to move faster. She whinnied and bucked me off her. As I landed with my posterior in a mud puddle, Butch laughed. Then he kept riding. "Butch!" I shouted, "Wait up!" He didn't.

Jonas went to his own desk and began to sort through his school papers from the evening's assignment. But his mind was still on December and the coming Ceremony. Though he had been reassured by the talk with his parents, he hadn't the slightest idea what Assignment the Elders would be selecting for his future.