Teen Ink Magazine,
February 2007 :
Nonfiction Articles
“We Had a Good Run” by Sam D., Tucson, AZ Hospitals are where lives are saved, where people who thought that all was lost renew their hope. It doesn’t seem very hopeful when I go, though. Everyone who works there walks around like they needed to be at their destination five minutes ago ... Continue...
Alone by Shannon, Franklin Lakes , NJ She was alone. Sure, there was her mother downstairs, discussing macaroni and cheese recipes with the neighbor. Without looking, she knew her mother was inspecting every one of her acrylic nails for a chip so she could go to the salon and chat with the ladies there ... Continue...
Chinese Cucumbers by Amy S., Boston, MA I curiously watched my grandmother open the yellowing paper packet with painstaking care. When she untied the knots, a cluster of strange, shriveled off-white orbs fell into her hands ... Continue...
Crushed by Shea B., Shreveport, LA Most girls have a huge crush on a guy at one time in their lives. You know, the kind that comes with butterflies in your stomach, when you can’t help but smile every time you see that person. Well, I’ve had one, too ... Continue...
Family Ties by Amanda T., Cohasset, MA When I introduce acquaintances to my family, I often hear, “You look just like your mom!” or, “Of course she’s your sister, you two look exactly alike!” Although this is innocent banter, if I look anything like my parents or sister, it ... Continue...
First Date by Andrew D., Cohasset, MA My heart is pounding; the more I think, the more I start to panic. I don’t even know if I should get out of the car. Maybe I should just leave. No, no, I can’t. I am already 15 minutes late because I couldn’t decide what to wear ... Continue...
Five Simple Words by Janet S., Saddle River, NJ The clock on my bureau told me I had 45 minutes to transform myself from the girl next door into a ravishing beauty. Swiftly, I moved the towel over my legs, absorbing each drop of water. Immediately, my eyes focused on a single blond hair on my kneecap ... Continue...
Flirt by Erin R., Ross, CA There are many things that are frustrating and pointless in the conspiracy that is high school dating. People don’t talk, don’t say what they mean, or carry over middle-school dating techniques like teasing the person you have a crush on ... Continue...
I Knew a Boy by Anna H., Dresser, WI 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.
In Her Smile by Brittany S., Rice Lake, WI This month is the five-year anniversaryof one of the most tragic events of my life ... Continue...
Like at First Sight by Melissa M., Mineola, NY Perhaps you believe in destiny, that two people were made for each other along with the designs of the universe. Maybe you believe in fairy-tale endings and happily-ever-afters and love at first sight. Not to burst your bubble, but it’s not entirely true ... Continue...
Lost in Bliss by Carrie, Sturgis, MI Sitting next to him at the movies and wishing he would reach for my hand, I tell myself he will in time. And he does. When he offers his hand, I take it. Now all I can think about is how my hand in his feels so right.
We walk side by side and hand in hand to his car ... Continue...
Nights in White Satin by Danielle B., Cameron, WI “Nights in white satin, never reaching the end. Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send ...”
The Saturday afternoon sun gleamed weakly through the living room window as “Nights in White Satin” played ... Continue...
On the Job by Will O., Swarthmore, PA As the sun began to creep over the trees, I walked along the cement path to the pool. Approaching the office, I began both to see and smell the thick mass of curling cigarette smoke from under the door ... Continue...
One of Those Girls by Anonymous, NY I’m one of those girls. Maybe you know the girls I’m talking about. It’s possible that you’ve been one of them; maybe you’re that girl right now. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, believe me, it’s better that way ... Continue...
Perfect by Heather H., Ayer, MA If I knew how to love you then, It might have worked out now. If I knew to stop fighting then, We would get along now. If I knew that you didn’t mean what you said, ... Continue...
Pitlochry, Scotland by Cara L., Jenkintown, PA Nothing tastes better than fish n’ chips in this Scottish town After a long training run through narrow streets past gardens and bowling greens and dogs barking with Scottish accents ... Continue...
Second Chances by Ruben, Houston, TX One Christmas Eve morning, a 17-year-old committed a crime in a major store. His crime was shoplifting. This shoplifter was me, and I was lucky to get a second chance.
I was skinny and tall, in worn-out Nikes and black pants with a black jacket ... Continue...
The Movie That is Our Life by Mathew P., Milton, NH The reel begins to roll. This is my kind of movie. It has action and medieval battles, nothing that she likes. She came, though. This whole thing started three days ago, and it is different from all the others. She is different from all the others ... Continue...
We Couldn’t Ignore It by Anonymous, WI The first time I saw my dad after a year and a half, he was wearing a forest-green jumpsuit and handcuffs.
I had stood, trembling, at the courtroom door before taking my place in the front row on the prosecutor’s side ... Continue...
What Do I Do? by Angela, Phoenix, AZ I believe everything you tell me and trust you with my thoughts. You know what I’ve done, and what I’m planning to do. I believe you when you tell me you didn’t talk to her. Stop lying to me and yourself. Stop putting on an act ... Continue...
What Doesn’t Kill You ... by Sydney, CT “This is the worst honors class I have had in all my 46 years of teaching!” Being told this on a weekly basis is neither encouraging nor beneficial ... Continue...
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