Hi, I’m Lola, and this is the story of how it all started—the chaos, the secrets, the…dreams and, well, me. Maybe I don’t like people because they’ve never liked me first. Or maybe that’s just who I am. Either way, buckle up. It’s not my fault I’m the way I am; I honestly don’t know why. My friend says I shouldn’t try to be the hero all the time, that I can’t save everyone, blah blah blah. I just zone out when she talks like that—like I’m in my own world.

It all began when I saw my friend Ava being bullied at school by this huge guy, like five years older than us. I walked up to him, heart racing but determined. “Hey, leave her alone!” I said, my voice shaking a bit, but I wasn’t backing down. He just looked at me like I was nothing. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do next, but in that moment, I couldn’t just stand there and watch. The guy chuckled, towering over me like a mountain. “What are you going to do about it, huh?” he sneered, pushing Ava to the ground. My stomach twisted, but something inside me snapped. I wasn’t going to back down. I stepped forward, blocking his path. “You better leave her alone now, or else.”

I didn’t know what “or else” meant, but I was ready to find out.

Ava looked at me, wide-eyed, but something in her gaze told me she was scared. The guy, on the other hand, wasn’t impressed. He shoved me back, and that’s when I realized—I might’ve just made a bigger mistake than I could handle. “You better run you little worm, or you’ll be next” the guy threatened. “Lola, i’m fine, don’t try to help…again” Ava pleaded. 

I stared back at the guy, my heart pounding, but I wasn’t backing down. “I’m not scared of you,” I said, my voice trembling but defiant. He laughed, but it was a hollow sound. Ava’s voice came again, desperate this time. “Lola, please, just go!”

But I didn’t move. I wasn’t going to leave her, not after everything. “Not until he leaves you alone,” I shot back. For a moment, there was silence—then, he cracked his knuckles, ready to make his move. The only thing I could think was, this was it. The moment I couldn’t back out of. Before I knew it, I found myself on a hospital bed two days later with a cast on my arm. Ava teary eyed beside me. “You’re awake!” she screamed, “She’s awake!” she screamed even louder. She tried to hug me but my arm started hurting. “Ava, are you ok?” I asked, “did he hurt you?” I said , scanning her for any bruises or scars. “No Lola, he didn’t, i told you to not butt in” Ava said “but you had to, you always had to be the hero” she continued.  “Lola, listen I…I don't think we can be friends anymore, I'll keep getting bullied because of my size and you’ll keep getting hurt, trying to be the hero” she cried. I stared at Ava, the words sinking in like cold water. “What do you mean? We’ve been friends since forever,” I sobbed, my head spinning. She wiped her tears, her hands shaking.

“I just... I can’t do this anymore, Lola. You’re always trying to fix everything, ever since your mum died when you were 5, you've always been trying to be the hero because you thought it was your fault she died, but sometimes... it’s not your fight.” Her voice cracked, the strength in her words tearing something deep inside me. For a second, I didn’t know what to say. All I could think was, How did everything fall apart so fast? Ava got up “goodbye Lola” she whispered as she left the room. “Ava, please come back, PLEASE” I croaked. “I won’t be the hero anymore, promise”. But by then she was gone….. I sat there in silence, the weight of her absence heavy on my chest. It felt like the world had shifted in a way I couldn’t understand, and I was left behind, trying to grasp onto something that no longer existed.

What had I done wrong?

I promised myself I wouldn’t try to be the hero anymore. But deep down, I knew—being who I was wasn’t something I could just turn off… or was it?

I closed my eyes and dreamt about that big bully that ruined everything, he was picking on Ava again but when i ran to try save her the image kept drifting further and further away, until it was gone, i was all by myself again, just like before when my parents accidentally left me at the airport when i was 3. I started to cry, the image flickers until i could make out the face of an old woman, pale skin, deep blue eyes (just like mine), hazel hair and a giant red scar seeping its way through her left cheek, then she spoke “they've been watching you lola, you've always been more than you could ever dream of, just wake up” . I suddenly woke up, still to find myself in the hospital bed but this time a lady was beside me, maybe in her late 20’s, I couldn't tell . 

Her face was unfamiliar, “You’re awake,” she said gently, her voice like a melody I couldn’t place.

I nodded, still groggy, my mind racing to piece together what had happened. The memory of the bully, Ava, and the strange dream blurred together in a confusing haze. “Who… who are you?” I managed to croak out. My throat felt dry, like I hadn’t spoken in days. She hesitated for a moment, her eyes scanning mine, searching for something. Then she spoke. “My name’s Lyra. I’m…i’m a friend. I felt she was hiding something, something important, something she knew about me. “Everything will be alright Lola” she continued.  “Um…y…you know my name” I squeaked.

 Lola stared at the empty doorway, her heart heavy as Ava’s words echoed in her mind. You always have to be the hero.Her fingers clenched the hospital blanket. She didn’t know how to stop being herself—even when it meant losing people she cared about. Lyra’s voice cut through her thoughts. “You’ll understand everything soon, Lola. For now, just rest”.”Lola turned to her, searching the stranger’s face for answers. “Why are you here? What do you know about me?”Lyra’s gaze softened, but her next words chilled Lola to the core. “You’re not just a hero, Lola. You’re something more—and the world needs you”. “You’ve always felt different, haven’t you?” Lyra said softly. “Like the world’s weight rests on your shoulders. It’s no coincidence, Lola. They’ve been watching you…  “I fear…..they are listening…i have said too much, i must leave now”. “But you must know this, you and me, we are not much different” she smiled.

Before Lola could respond, the door swung open, and a nurse entered. Lyra was gone. Lola stared at the spot where she had stood, her mind racing. Ava was gone. Lyra was a mystery. But one thing was clear—her story wasn’t over, it was just beginning.

Story by Gabriella Iwobho (S2)

Hi, this is me, just plain old me. But unfortunately, I have a bit of an issue. I just can't seem to remember…MY NAME!!!!. I know, crazy right. It all started like Forever. I know what you're thinking, why can't I just ask someone? Well the problem is pretty small…it's just that I kinda woke up alone in the JUNGLE like 2 days ago!!!. So I kinda have no one to talk to, unless you count the oval shaped thingies with tails. Seriously, what kind of creature goes “oo oo ah ah” in the year 5000’s. I mean no offense to these…things, but they are starting to creep me out. 

As I walked around this pointless place, I started to see more and more creatures-not in a good way-they weren't the prettiest, some even had EIüGHT legs and I don't mean my kinda legs, I mean hairy brownish black legs and that's not the worst of it. It also had like a billion eyes looking straight into my soul and get this, it shot some white stuff from it to make a net in a manmade metal tree- I always wished I could actually see real trees and nature, unlike the makeshift unnatural one-and as I watched and watched, little black circles with the smallest wings I have ever seen got stuck in the net. I almost cried-notice how I said almost. I left the ugly scene averting my eyes from what was to come-It might sound weird but I had a feeling the hairy legged creature was going to eat the wee circle. I walked and walked till it got dark, suddenly I started hearing sounds and they weren't “oo oo ah ah’s”. They were more eerie and offbeat, like “ caw caw, hoot hoot,” I also heard whining. It wasn't really scary, it was more calming. I decided to close my eyes and crash on a rock. 

I woke up with a new sound, it went like “cockadoodledoo!!”. Worst sound yet, I stretched, yawned and rubbed my face. I had a good feeling about today. Third times a charm right. I tucked my hands into my oversized jacket to keep my hands from burning up when I felt something, it was a mini whiteboard, the writing was all smudged and hard to read. The message read "Find the key to your past, it’s closer than you think.”

What key..or is is a who?

What do you think?

Is the key an object or a person? Have any theories about what happens next? Come share your ideas with me at the newspaper (Wednesday lunchtimes B203)

Story by Gabriella Iwobho (S2)