http://slow.writerscafe.org/LakeishaBarnes The original writings of author DustyPinkRose18 en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1776573711 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 Brielle's POV: I sat on the white couch beside my... mental self, my hands balled into fists while my head rested on it, my elbows on my legs. I looked ahead as I tried to rationalize what she had just told me. Slowly, I glanced over at her and  then turned back forward. The taking a heavy sigh.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1250379/ The next day the Dr. Martinez went over Brielle's CT scans with me. He showed me the areas of her brain that were still swollen and expressed his concerns of taking her off of the life support too soon.  "Look, her squeezing your hand only shows that she can subconsciously hear you and is stil.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1249517/   My vision went in and out. Flashed of light and blood, people in white coats, other with dark blue uniforms. A sharps pain in my legs. All I could do was cry out for Levi. Tears ran down my eyes as I began to feel pain not only in my leg put a huge headache started and everything began as I f.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1248485/ A week and many phone calls later, Levi was back home. I spent that entire time trying to figure out how to tell him I wasn't going to start out my first year of grad school with him in Washington state. I love him and I do want to be there with him but, the fact that I waited until late and didn't.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1248245/ The days later I was headed to atlanta with my parents, Shania, and Genevieve. Alyssa, my good friend from college, also joined us meeting us at the hotel we were all staying in.  The night before my fitting at Bridal's by Lori, Alyssa came to my room to hang out. We hadn't seen or talked in a.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1243992/ "So two days from now is when you said we'd go up to atlanta to buy your dress," my mom said while we sat in our living room. Levi was sitting back right beside me with his arm on the back of the couch gently draped on my shoulder and his other arm relaxed on his leg. I was sitting back in the chai.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1242948/ I awoke to sunlight streaming into the windows. I put my hand over my face covering my eyes, then felt his fingers trailing up my leg making me smile. "Good morning, Levi," I murmured smiling. "Morning my beautiful fiancé." He planted a kiss on my forehead and I dropped my hands moving his l.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1241958/ http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1241921/ I got out of the hospital the next day, after observation. The question that stayed in the back of my mind was who brought me to the hospital?  When we left, I went straight to the Campbell's with all of the things that I had with me the night I was admitted into the hospital. I didn't look at.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1240030/ I woke up to blinding lights. I immediately closed my eyes, seeing at they became very sensitive to the light they were exposed to. My head felt like it was going to explode and my ears were ringing incessantly. I couldn't take it any longer than I already had. I began to sit up but immediately fel.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1238505/ I laid awake, staring out Faith's bedroom window. I hadn't been able to sleep all night. I felt as if I couldn't breath, like there was something heavy weighting on my chest. I got out of the bed and walked to the window. The sun was beginning to rise, bringing bits of orange, pink and purple... http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1226991/ I got home, completely weary, and ready to sleep. I walked toward the kitchen to get something to drink and a snack to eat. My dad was in the living room sitting on the couch, about fifteen empty beer cans on the floor around him. He looked up and I could immediately tell he was drunk. "Where've yo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1226175/ When we got to school, Dominic locked the doors before I could open my own. "What the hell--" "Look I'm sorry I was late. I had stuff to take care this morning that caused me to get to the corner late." I looked at him trying to see what he was playing at. Finally, deciding that I felt he meant wel.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1226026/  My house was eerily quiet when my father and I got back. My mom's family was staying in a hotel because my dad didn't want them at the house. He probably didn't want them to see the hole in the wall on the other side of the stairs. The one that he created when he punched right next my mother'.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1224737/ I sat beside the hospital bed with my head laying on my mother's bed with my hand holding hers. The beeping of the heart monitor continually rang in my ears as tears silently fell from my eyes. My dad wasn't here and I though I didn't want him here, I'd think that he'd be here for my mom. I guess I.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1224712/ Brooklyn Harris has seen nothing but abuse in her life. The seventeen year old has turned out to be angry, resentful and gradually begins thinking lowly of herself. To her, nothing and no one could ever love her and that abuse is just something that all men do, something that in essence...normal.&n.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1224616/ A book about rising above abuse to find strength within yourself. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1224607/    The reception was going well. People were having fun and Shania and Noah looked like they were having the time of their lives. I was smiling the entire time and couldn't help but smile as I watched them. Then they stopped the music and called all of the women to the dance floor. Shania .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1219452/    When we emerged from the path everyone was looking at us. I had never seen so many people with tears in their eyes. I focused on getting down the isle to the side of the arch.    The beach was set up exactly like it was yesterday, the only addition to it was the cream col.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1219214/    I drove to the part of the beach in St.Pete that the wedding was going to be held with Shania's best friend, Chloe, her cousin Avery, Shania and Noah. Mr. and Mrs.Miller was behind us with Levi and Madison. They also had their cousins, Max and Belle then Austin, their little brother in .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1218709/    Two days after I left Shania's and a day after they left for St.Pete Beach, Florida on the 20th, I too, left to go to Florida. I packed tons of cool clothing, from sundresses to swimwear and shorts.    I got off the plane and saw Shania waiting with Noah. She was bea.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1217642/    Levi never called that night and I wasn't going to call or text first. I know I was going to deal with it but I'd do it...when I was ready. The question is will I ever be ready?  I finished packing up my dorm room when my parents came up to help me carry things down. Alyssa had fin.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1216811/    When softball season started and I put that dawgs softball jersey on in the locker room I just stared at myself in the mirror. I smiled putting my hand on the small number 9 on the front of my jersey as a feeling of accomplishment ran through me. For years I had never thought that I wou.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1215892/    Tonight all the kids would sleep in our den, my dad built two summers ago, at the very back of the yard, That way the parents' could assist "santa" with the gifts. Me and Tyson were in charge and had them all asleep on two air mattresses. I slept with the girls while Tyson slept with th.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1215650/  When I got back, I told Alyssa every detail about what happened.   "She agreed?" Her face was contorted in a confused expression, "she actually felt sympathy for what she did? Without you having to say anything to your parents about what she did?"  I cocked my head to t.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1213658/    When Thanksgiving rolled around I left campus for the three days we were off to go home for the holidays. I help my mom cook with my aunts and set the table with my younger cousins.    It was nice to be home. I trying to spend as little time at home and made sure if Levi came .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1212459/  The day after graduation marked three weeks of summer left. Levi and I made the most of it together because before we would know it we'd both be off to college. Our friendship may last but would our love?    One day while we were laying in his front yard it began to rain. I.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1210892/     Brielle Jackson and Levi Miller have been friends since they were sixnand we playing pee wee baseball together. Levi is a 6'0, athletic, blonde, fair-skinned, light brown eyed baseball player while Brielle is 5'4 and everything he is except she plays fastpitch softb.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1210146/     For the next week and a half, Levi and I kept our distance. We barely talked anymore but partly because we were both really busy.     We were both packing up to leave for college and I was spending a lot of time with Shania helping her with as much of her weddi.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1208032/    When I got to the diner I walked in and scanned looking for Shania. I hope she was already here because it took a lot for my mom to even let me get out of the house. She was pretty dead set on not letting me leave until my dad told her to let me go. He said they had raised me the b.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1203498/    I woke the next morning and decided to go for a run. I needed to clear my head and running is the best way I know how. I threw my covers off of my body and changed. I put on my running shorts, racerback running shirt, a sports bra, black nike socks and nike running shoes. I put the neck.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1201591/    Later on that day after the parade, eating with both my family and Levi's, we all went to the square dance for Fourth of July at a bar in town. The entire town was invited, My family and Levi's arrived at the same time together.     Levi and I as well as Sh.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1201493/     I got to the diner right at 4 and began taking orders. Today I was working behind the counter, while Jessica was working the booths with a couple others.    I had been working for about an two hours when Noah walked in with Shania. They were holding hands and lookin.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1201201/   The next day I got to the rehersal on time but the whole thing dragged considering my class only had 115 students. We spent two hours going over things! Why did we spend two hours? Because of our long winded principal. I was getting irritated just sitting l.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1198455/   We walked into the house hand in hand. But once we got closer to the kitchen I froze and Levi turned to look at me.   "You okay?"  I nodded with wide eyes.  "Baby you don't have to do this. I mean it."   I took a deep breath and looked at Levi. "I know b.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1192641/     "Hey," I said walking up to Shania the next night and hugged her, "How are you feeling?"    "Anxious," she said excitement in her voice, "I haven't seen him in two years. My heart feels as if it's going to jump right out of my chest."   &nbs.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1191360/    When I got home, Levi was waiting on my porch in the swing. I turned off my truck, took a deep breath and stepped out of my truck, skates in hand. I walked up the pathway to my stairs, where he was leaning on the column with his head down.    I stopped in front of the steps an.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1190201/     We got back to the farm house a little after 10. I got off the four-wheeler before Levi put it back in the shed. When he came back out, he pulled me into his arms and kissed my cheek. I smiled and he took my hand and lead me back through the stable. As we got closer to the house I.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1190072/    We rode down the trails of his family farm all the way out into the long grass that was on the outside of the farm. I admired every bit of nature that I saw as we rode farther away from the house. The grass rustled as we passed, blue birds sang, deer ran away from the sound of the&.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1189116/     I woke the next morning in my room. I looked up at the ceiling and thought about how the couple reacted, what Jessica and that woman said,and what Levi said when I told him. We laid on the ground in a blanket. I'm wrapped in his arms and I'm just staring into the fire. ".. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1188466/     The last week of school went by quickly after that Monday. Everyone seemed to be interested but their interest slowly diminished. I still got dirty looks by some of the girls and guys but I knew why I was getting them. That Friday after school was the last time I'd see any of my c.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1187285/   The next morning when I woke up, I streched out on my bed and stared up at the ceiling. My best friend loves me. And techiniquely we are now dating. What the hell am I getting into. I had never thought about there being a possiblity of this happening. I want to try but, our friendsh.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1182714/ I stepped out of my house breathing in the warm Mississippi air on May afternoon. I put my headphones in my ears, pulled my hair into a ponytail, and, as I began my run pushed "play" on my IPhone. The sweet sound of Imagine Dragon filled my ears as I started toward Main Street. As I got closer to.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1181991/ Brielle Jackson and Levi Miller's friendship takes a crazy ride when Levi reveals some feelings for her that she never thought of when it came to him. Can she stay strong above it all? http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/LakeishaBarnes/1181749/