Teen Ink Magazine,
February 2006 :
Nonfiction Articles
A Thousand Words by Lindsey M., Cromwell, CT “You are the only person I know who gets excited over a sunset,” my best friend commented on the phone, laughing, as I rushed inside to exchange my cell phone for a camera ... Continue...
About a Vent by Laurie S., So. Plainfield, NJ It was 8:53 p.m. My shift at the hardware store was almost over, and just in time. I thought I would go crazy if I heard the “cha-ching” of the cash register one more time ... Continue...
Cleft Lip by Nicole S., St. Peters, MO The first question she asked, “Can I call you my sister?” as she handed a dandelion, her trust, to me. ... Continue...
Compliments by Summer W., Phoenix, AZ I was eight years old when the first love of my life passed away.
His name was Jesse Jordan and he was 75 years old. Would have been 76 a few months later, but no matter ... Continue...
Emotional Baggage by Melanie K., Buffalo Grove, IL In two weeks I will see him. Twelve days, actually. I would calculate the minutes and seconds, too, if it didn’t make me seem desperate. But I can’t help it, he’s the only thing on my mind ... Continue...
Fashion Summer by Alexandra A., New City, NY I awoke with a start to the sound of my alarm clock. As I lay back, grumbling, I heard the familiar words I so dreaded: “Alex, time to get up!” my mom shouted ... Continue...
Good-bye by Amanda, TX People think that after a break-up you’re supposed to hold your head up and move on. Everyone says you’re supposed to forgive and forget. No one ever gave me a chance to forgive her for everything she did to me ... Continue...
Jack by Anonymous ., Zirconia, NC I never really got to know all my Kentucky relatives, my mother’s father’s family. I remember meeting them once and not liking them very much ... Continue...
Let Me Down in Pieces by Anonymous, Winlock, WA It really is funny how life works. I have this urge to be in love with someone and have him love me back with the same intensity but, for some reason, every time I think I am getting close, it turns out that it was just a kiss. It was just a cuddle ... Continue...
Letting Go by Dorothy, PA It’s true, what you hear - you never really let go of your first love. They take a part of your heart with them, leaving an empty space that can only be filled with memories. I learned this at a rather young age ... Continue...
Lion by Jeff Y., Plano, TX This selection can be found in Chicken Soup for the Teen Soul, the 7th in the Teen Ink book series, all available in bookstores nationwide and online.
Love, Love, Love by Anonymous, Providence, RI I am one of those people who says “I love you” all the time. Today, the love list has included the daily brew at Tealuxe, driving around with my dad listening to (and mourning) Janis Joplin, and eating Pillsbury chocolate frosting out of the container ... Continue...
Love? by Anonymous, Shreveport, LA I was in love, or so I thought. I thought he was the world and that nothing else mattered. Boy, was I wrong.
I was with this guy off and on starting freshman year and ending the summer before senior year ... Continue...
Princesses by Ashley S., Lipan, TX This selection can be found in Chicken Soup for the Teen Soul, the 7th in the Teen Ink book series, all available in bookstores nationwide and online.
Stop & Smell the Dandelions by Ashley B., Hahira, GA I didn’t get any roses this year. I walked around school on February 14 and saw dozens of girls holding single roses or entire bouquets ... Continue...
Take a Chance by Matt J., Auburn, NY I am writing to all you guys out there who are too nervous to ask out that girl you like. I want to tell you to go for it. I am not saying it will be easy or you won’t be turned down, all I’m saying is that if there’s a chance, you have to take it ... Continue...
The Dance by Rebekah R., Lexington, KY It was a cheesy fifth-grade dance, with balloons taped to the walls in a futile attempt to make the gym look less boring and music swimming through the air from a cheap boom-box a teacher had brought. The only good thing was the food ... Continue...
The First Nine Words by Ariana M., Montpelier, VT My fingers tore open the big manila envelope and I pulled out a stack of papers. I look down and read, “Dear Ariana, We are pleased to inform you that ...” I didn’t need to read any further ... Continue...
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