• “No matter how deep you fall
    You can always rise again”

    I sat rocking back and forth watching the yarn strands of the mane on my rocking horse sway as I enjoyed my day….. alone. At the age of five I enjoyed my life I embraced it I never knew what would soon hit me. At my sixth birthday party I would receive so many fun great gifts but there was one in particular I could never give back.

    I Wishes
    The cars swiftly passed by until soon there was break. I took the chance to quickly run across the street. Today was my 16th birthday. 10 years of pure “joy” for my parents. I felt a sudden change. Not in the weather but I the way I looked at my house. I felt like it was the last few times I would see this place. My eyes suddenly dropped I felt not sad but grown up. I wanted to embrace life as I did before. Living in Tulsa, Arkansas seems well not exactly easy. I live in Brick county a really small place in Tulsa. Its hard to find but people find it. The reason we are so small is because we are no ordinary county and were no ordinary place. The home owners association is mean qruide and a barrier to our life. For one reason and only one is we all face a challenge of the life we have and the people we are. We are shapeshiffters. We move, shift, and become another. I’m sure you think it doesn’t sound that bad but it is. We have to live in this place, we are forced for our own “safety”. But I think they just don’t want to have us out in the world. They don’t want us to survive in a place were are secret is possibly aroused and at some point I can agree, our secret is to be told to only our kind but sometimes in order to protect the ones you need you must give them the chance to protect the people you are. I have had to live here all my life and I really don’t like it. So in order to live here you must change yourself. Completely. I finally got down the drive way to the front of my house. I searched for the keys in my bag and I finally grasped them in my hands and inserted them into the hole. I came inside to and unlighted house. My school bag dropped next to the door and small giggles came from in the dark and I smiled . The whole room light and everyone yelled
    “SURPRISE!” I was amazed at the perfect unison. I giggled and shrugged quietly.
    “Hi?” I bit my lip overjoyed.
    “Really I just wanted a small party.” Again the giggles appeared along with me blushing.
    “You deserved it my dear.” My mom smiled. She gave me big hug, then put her hands on my shoulders and told me how proud she was. Everyone started to mingle. I went over to my best friend Cameron. His golden dark brown hair shone in the sun coming from the skylight above. Ever since we moved here Cam was my only friend. Due to the fact I was a special kind of shifter. I was a blue winged emerald phoenix . At this point I was able to turn certain things into ice. As a phoenix when you come to a certain age you are given the chance to find who you really are and only then are you aloud to turn into a true red phoenix able to turn things to fire instead of ice. But as you can see being a phoenix is not exactly easy. All through school I was and still am picked on for being different so I try to fit in as much as possible I try to blend, shape and move into the ways of high school but no matter how good I am at what I do I still get picked on. A thanks to Cameron because when I got older I met him and at some point I thought the rest of my life would be spent with him. Cameron saw the real me I guess cause we are still best friends. We talk listen and become each others souls when we need it. That’s why I can trust Cameron cause I know when I need a friends he’s there …always… no matter if I see him or not. I walked toward Cameron his eyes glimmered in the sunlight the golden blue in his eyes came out with the light. His face was very distinctive but his smile was the best. It was sweet but caring and strong. I loved it. It was like when he smiled the world around him brightened and everything got warm and beautiful. Everything changed when his smile creased at the lines of his mouth, everything. Now I can imagine you think I couldn’t care more about a person but I cant say that for myself. I looked at him words sitting waiting to be spoken.
    “Hi Cam I’m really glad you could come” I smiled sweetly
    “ Well I’m really glad I came to because I am only your best friend” He said sarcastically. I laughed and really smiled. He quickly switched from funny to serious he looked into my eyes. He slowly moved his hands to the side of my face. Slowly Slowly the hands move, the eyes shift ,and the turn of the world. Stops. Slowly to make sure it was alright with me. He moved one hand to the back of my head he stroked my wavy brown hair. I felt the whole room stop I felt like I was in a movie it was paused in a great moment. This moment was stopped for him and me. I reached up and touched his hand by my face. I inhaled and felt my heart jump.
    “ Cam.. I .. I cccant.” I whispered and stuttered then turned away shyly.
    “ I know I’m sorry you tell me a lot this cant happen but no matter what I still love you.”
    “ I know Cam and I love you to but … “ I trailed off I always had some feeling for Cam but not enough to spark. The tension soon calmed and I started to talk to Cam and time flied. Soon it was time for cake and presents. I sat on a wooden chair in the middle of the room and someone handed me the first present. I started untying the big bow from the top of the square box.
    “ STOP! Stop everything!”
    “ Dad what’s going on? Are you ok? “ I quickly stood up. The present sliding off my lap and landing on the floor. Everyone started smiling.
    “ Come with me” called Cam. He took my hand lightly and my dad wrapped a small fabric piece over my eyes. I stuck one hand out hopping to feel where I was going. I heard everyone’s footsteps behind me so I knew I wasn’t alone. We stopped. The cloth came off. I felt like a child playing a simple game of hit the piñata but I’m glad no one gave me a bat because sitting in front of me was a shining dark grey Chevy Silverado truck. It was a little scratched up by I liked it I would have to say im not much of a girly girl. My eyes widened I gasped. My hand came from Cams and went to my face.
    “ This cant be for me right? Really I cant say anything. O my god!” I laughed while I exhaled
    “ It’s not new but its in good condition and its still a great car.” My dad said.
    “ Thanks dad .. and mommy” Hehe I giggled. Everyone gathered to admire the car.
    “ I’m so happy for you “ Cam smiled. Cam got his car 2 weeks ago for his 16th birthday as well . I turned to smile at Cam. My dad unstuck the bow from the top of the car and handed it to me. I took Cam’s hand and I started to walk to the house Cameron next to my side. I felt my heart pumping and adrenaline going. I took a deep breath and exhaled.
    “ Lets go have cake!” I yelled to the group. I sat at the island and Cameron was next to me. My mom came in and grabbed plates and a lighter from the top counter. She grabbed the cake from the fridge and opened the box. Everyone came in and my dad grabbed candles and stuck them in the frosting . Cam turned his head to me he sweetly smiled. I gazed back and leaned towards him. I nudged him and smiled I reached across the plate grabbing a hair tie to put my hair so no fire could grab it. Flame by flame the candles became alive and flickered. One by one my mom light them one by one. Everyone gathered and turned the attention to me.
    “ Blow them away