{"id":1146,"date":"2014-12-05T09:00:52","date_gmt":"2014-12-05T17:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/?p=1146"},"modified":"2017-12-23T17:08:55","modified_gmt":"2017-12-24T01:08:55","slug":"friendemma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2014\/friendemma\/","title":{"rendered":"A Friend for Emma – short story"},"content":{"rendered":"

—by Elizabeth Nail, grade 9<\/p>\n

WINNER of the Teen Read Week 2014 “Turn Dreams into Reality” Writing Contest<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Emma wanted a pet. She decided it would be much like a friend, but without the complications or the communication issues. She had considered many different creatures for this specific application, of both exotic and common variety, such as dogs, wombats, fish and koalas; but Emma had eventually narrowed her focus to a cat, a sheep, or a hedgehog.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She had not actually discussed her brilliant idea with her parents, but she was confident that they would understand her motivations. At this final, crucial stage in her planning, however, she decided to talk to them about it.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Emma bounded into the kitchen and sat her parents down, beaming.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSo,\u201d she began brightly, \u201cI was thinking that I should have a pet?\u201d<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Her mother and father stared at her bemusedly. Emma frowned inwardly; she had expected them to smile and agree instantly, and things were not going over quite as well as she had arranged. Still, she pushed forward.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI was thinking either a cat-,\u201d<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThey scratch car seats,\u201d interrupted her father, who was very particular about the condition of his motor vehicles.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, then a sheep-,\u201d<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThey must smell dreadfully bad,\u201d interjected her mother, who was partial to beautiful things (which extended to the scent of the atmosphere).<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat about a hedgehog?\u201d Emma finished desperately.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Her parents reverted to their blank stares.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThose scratch car seats as well, correct?\u201d her father finally said.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIs the answer no?\u201d Emma asked.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf you know of a pet that doesn\u2019t have an awful stench-,\u201d began her mother.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOr claws-,\u201d added her father.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOr is difficult to maintain-,\u201d supplemented her mother.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOr spines-,\u201d inserted her father.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOr excretes in an unsatisfactory manner,\u201d concluded her mother, \u201cthen we might possibly look into it.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Emma had invested a lot of time into narrowing down her list, deliberating over every last detail. This lack of gratification for her efforts naturally upset her, as well as the prospect that she might not ever have a pet at all, for she was hard-pressed to find an animal which suited her parents\u2019 numerous stipulations. She adjourned the meeting and went outside to the backyard, where she sat and mentally reconsidered every creature of which she knew.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 While she was thinking, she heard a rustling in the pile of autumnal leaves her father had raked up that morning. Upon turning her head, Emma saw an innocuous orange-saddled corn snake, about three feet in length, which blended in almost perfectly with the blotchy colors of the leaves.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Emma sprang to her feet, thrilled. A snake! She walked up to it and spoke soft, indistinguishable words. Responding to the sound of her voice, the snake squiggled closer. Emma held out her arm for it to coil around, which it did. Its forked tongue flickered over her elbow in such a way that tickled her immensely. Emma giggled and delightedly studied the intricately patterned scales of her new friend.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey, Mom,\u201d Emma called, in the general direction of the house, \u201cHow about a snake?\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

—by Elizabeth Nail, grade 9 WINNER of the Teen Read Week 2014 “Turn Dreams into Reality” Writing Contest   ***   Emma wanted a pet. She decided it would be much like a friend, but without the complications or the communication issues. She had considered many different creatures for this […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[92],"class_list":["post-1146","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writing","tag-contest"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5ZwbD-iu","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5389,"url":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2019\/rispin\/","url_meta":{"origin":1146,"position":0},"title":"Revolutionary Love — a story by Emma Rispin","author":"Jane Gov","date":"November 23, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Young Readers League 2019 \"Hidden History\" Writing Contest Honorable Mention (Category 2: ages 12-14) \u00a0 \u201cRevolutionary Love\u201d by Emma Rispin Age 12 \u00a0 Summary:\u00a0 Amidst a war, a frightful night, and an unknowable future. \u00a0 I awoke to the frantic sounds of my father\u2019s footsteps. I jumped from my bed\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Features"","block_context":{"text":"Features","link":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/opinion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1682,"url":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2015\/anyone-can-be-successful-short-story-by-julia-nail\/","url_meta":{"origin":1146,"position":1},"title":"Anyone Can Be Successful — short story by Julia Nail","author":"Teen Blogger","date":"April 6, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"One City, One Story 2015 \"Tell Your Story\" Contest Category: \u00a0Grade 9-12 2nd place Anyone Can Be Successful by Julia\u00a0Nail, Grade 9 \u00a0 Kira came to the United States of America because her family was seeking a better life. Her mother stayed at home and took care of the children,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Writing"","block_context":{"text":"Writing","link":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/writing\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2923,"url":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2016\/lady-midnight-teen-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":1146,"position":2},"title":"Lady Midnight — teen review","author":"Teen Blogger","date":"June 9, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Review by Kelly Huang, Teen Reviewer Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare Lady Midnight marks the start of a new trilogy that takes place in Cassandra Clare\u2019s highly-esteemed Shadowhunter world in which Shadowhunters, or half-angel warriors, are sworn to fight demons. Clare\u2019s long-awaited release takes place five years after the events\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Teen Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Teen Reviews","link":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/teen-reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2016\/05\/Lady-Midnight-cover-GalleyCat.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5398,"url":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2019\/hidden-history\/","url_meta":{"origin":1146,"position":3},"title":"Hidden History Contest Winners","author":"Jane Gov","date":"November 23, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"We're pleased to announce the winners of the \u201cHidden History\u201d Writing and Art Contests. This year, youth ages 8-14 who live or attend school in Pasadena were challenged to put their own spin on a piece of history. All artwork and stories were inspired by characters or moments from past\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Agendas & News"","block_context":{"text":"Agendas & News","link":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/agendas-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2019\/11\/Art-Contest-TITLE.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2019\/11\/Art-Contest-TITLE.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2019\/11\/Art-Contest-TITLE.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2019\/11\/Art-Contest-TITLE.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2733,"url":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2016\/the-fear-of-not-knowing-by-sally-ho\/","url_meta":{"origin":1146,"position":4},"title":"“The Fear of Not Knowing” –story by Sally Ho","author":"Teen Blogger","date":"March 19, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"One City One Story 2016 Writing Contest: \u201cA Vivid Memory\u201d 2nd place Category 2: Grades 6-8 \u201cThe Fear of Not Knowing\u201d by Sally Ho Grade 8 First Avenue Middle School \u00a0 So how well do you remember things? For me, I\u2019d say I\u2019m slightly above average. However, I\u2019m not a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Writing"","block_context":{"text":"Writing","link":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/writing\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":5382,"url":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2019\/bacigalupi\/","url_meta":{"origin":1146,"position":5},"title":"A Surprising School Trip — a story by Leah Bacigalupi","author":"Jane Gov","date":"November 23, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Young Readers League 2019 \"Hidden History\" Writing Contest 1st place (Category 2: ages 12-14) \u00a0 \u201cA Surprising School Trip\u201d by Leah Bacigalupi Age 12 \u00a0 Summary:\u00a0 Harper discovers a startling detail about her family. \u00a0 Harper Rakosi was sitting on the bus begrudgingly. She hated field trips, especially this one.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Features"","block_context":{"text":"Features","link":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/opinion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1146"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1146\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1295,"href":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1146\/revisions\/1295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1146"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1146"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}