August 9, 2025 • 42 mins
Starting senior year should be exciting—but for Sarah, it’s just another battle.
After losing her parents and moving from Los Angeles to small-town Texas, she’s endured years of bullying from the Starlights, the school’s most ruthless clique.
Then she meets Betsy—a tough, guarded new girl with secrets of her own—and a spark of friendship begins to form. But with Memorial High facing demolition and the Starlights determined to make Sarah’s life miserable, can the two girls stand together… or will Sarah’s last year be her worst yet?
This YA Universe Novel continues every other Monday with a new Chapter until its completion.
undergroundartistnetwork@outlook.com
A PHOENIX P PUBLICATION.
After losing her parents and moving from Los Angeles to small-town Texas, she’s endured years of bullying from the Starlights, the school’s most ruthless clique.
Then she meets Betsy—a tough, guarded new girl with secrets of her own—and a spark of friendship begins to form. But with Memorial High facing demolition and the Starlights determined to make Sarah’s life miserable, can the two girls stand together… or will Sarah’s last year be her worst yet?
This YA Universe Novel continues every other Monday with a new Chapter until its completion.
undergroundartistnetwork@outlook.com
A PHOENIX P PUBLICATION.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Curling up, bim bed, reading books, Gena's dreams, sifting through mine, fantasying.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Che.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Dreamy, take Shot, What's your Thing?
Speaker 4 (00:32):
Give it all you got?
Speaker 5 (00:34):
Jacob do Stop.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Dream. This is your host CJ and Welcome to the
y A Universe. We invite you to escape into worlds
where friendships are tested, hearts race, and everyday struggles collide
with extraordinary adventures. Written and hosted by author Phoenix p.
(01:05):
Each story dies deep into the personal and social challenges
young adults face, from slow burn romances to breath taking
escapism fantasy. Our novels unfold chapter by chapter twice a
month on Monday evenings until that story reaches its final page.
(01:30):
Between novels, you'll also get surprise drops of short stories,
so be sure to turn on notifications so that you
never miss a journey. If you have a YA short
story of your own, submit it and if it's selected,
you'll be credited and hear it come to life on
(01:51):
our show. This is more than just a podcast. It's
a place where young adult fiction fans can relate and
get lost, and worlds both real and a match. The
YA Universe a presentation of the Underground Artist Network let's
(02:15):
go ahead and start our story for this.
Speaker 6 (02:17):
Episode introduction, Seventeen year old Sarah is bracing herself for
the first day of her senior year at Memorial High
the only high school in Kyle, Texas, and the last
place she ever wanted to find herself. After being relentlessly
targeted for three years by a clique called the Starlights
and enduring a summer of online harassment, Sarah has reached
(02:39):
her limit. She's a transfer from Los Angeles, still haunted
by the loss of her parents in a tragic accident,
and struggling to adapt to life with foster parents who
don't quite understand her or her bond with the natural world.
With her confidence hardly intact, Sarah expects nothing but more
cruelty until she knows notices Betsy, a tough looking newcomer
(03:02):
with an air of mystery and no desire to fit
in with the Starlights or anyone else. When Sarah unexpectedly
helps Betsy out of a tight spot, the pair discover
the beginnings of a friendship that could be just what each.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Of them needs.
Speaker 6 (03:15):
But this year, the school faces more than trouble. In
the hallways, news breaks that a city development project could
mean the end of Memorial forever. Will Sarah form a
newfound alliance with Betsy and survive the pressures of senior year?
Can the students rally to save their school. Will the
Starlight's reign of bullying push Sarah past her breaking point
(03:38):
In the shadow of looming demolition and uncertain futures, the
students will have to decide what they're willing to fight
for and who they might become in the process. Welcome
to Memorial High School, Chapter one, Sarah.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
I lay out my.
Speaker 7 (03:53):
First day of school outfit on my bed, a plain
black T shirt, jeans, and my trusty Converse to blend in,
become invisible. After the summer I've had, I just want
to disappear. My stomach churns as I imagine walking through
those doors tomorrow, facing them all again. The texts, posts,
(04:14):
and comments from Vanessa and her minions swarm my mind,
stinging like fresh cuts. I thought I'd escaped the bullying
when I left La, but Vanessa's jealousy over my old
life made me a target from day one. I glance
at my sketch book on the night stand, my pencils
and brushes calling to me like a siren song. More
(04:35):
than anything, I wish I could skip senior year altogether,
just hole up in my room and draw the plants
and animals that I actually connect with, Pour my soul
onto the page, and forget about the Starlights and their
stupid social games. My foster parents try to be supportive,
but they don't really get it.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
They can't protect me from the gauntlet.
Speaker 7 (04:57):
Of the halls, the whispers and snickers.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
I'm on my own.
Speaker 7 (05:02):
I hug my knees to my chest, paralyzed by the
dread building inside me. I don't know if I have
the strength to do this again, to endure another year
in survival mode. All summer long, the star Lights bombarded
me with a barrage of cruel messages and posts. Vanessa
started a rumor that I had secretly murdered my parents
(05:24):
back in LA and was now sleeping with my foster.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
Dad here in Kyle.
Speaker 7 (05:29):
The lies spread like wildfire across social media. Girls I
barely knew were suddenly posting that I was a psycho, killer,
a slut, a manipulative monster. They said I had planned
the car crash that took my parents from me, that
I had tampered with the brakes or spiked my dad's drink.
They claimed I had seduced my foster dad, that we
(05:50):
were carrying on some sick, secret affair behind closed doors.
Girls speculated about how I was probably faking my tears
at my parent's funeral, that I was probably thrilled to
have them out of the way so I could pursue
my twisted fantasies. The rumors were so vicious, so far
from the truth, that they made me feel utterly alone
(06:10):
in the world. I spent nights sobbing into my pillow,
wishing I could just disappear. I even found myself researching
bus tickets out of town, wondering if I should just
run away and leave it all behind. In my darkest moments,
I found myself eyeing the razor blades in the bathroom,
wondering if I'd be better off just ending it all.
(06:34):
The pain of the cuts could never compare to the
agony of seeing my parents faces and names smeared through
the mud by heartless, cruel strangers.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
The smell of fresh new.
Speaker 7 (06:46):
Books fills the air as I step into the classroom.
There's something hopeful about the crisp, unopened pages, like they
hold the promise of a new beginning. For a moment,
I allow myself to get lost in the excitement of
learning new things, of diving into uncharted territory. I scan
(07:08):
the faces around me, spotting a few new students I
don't recognize. There's something comforting about their presence. They don't
know my past, my reputation. They might actually give me
a chance. I feel a flicker of hope in my chest,
daring to imagine what it would be like to start fresh,
(07:31):
to be known for something other than the lies and
rumors that have defined me for so long. As I
walk through the halls, I can't help but notice the
buzz of change in the air. It's like everyone is
holding their breath, waiting to see what senior year will bring.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
There's a sense of possibility, of potential.
Speaker 7 (07:56):
I try to focus on that feeling, to let it
drown out the anxiety that's been gnawing at me for weeks.
I remind myself that this is it the final chapter
of my high school years.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
After this, I'll be free to start.
Speaker 7 (08:12):
Over, somewhere new, to leave the pain and trauma of
the past four years behind me.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
The thought fills me with.
Speaker 7 (08:20):
A mix of terror and exhilaration. I don't know what
the future holds, but I know that I'm ready to
face it head on. After my first two classes, I
noticed another positive development. I haven't encountered any of the
six Starlights, including their leader Vanessa. I'm glad to have
(08:41):
avoided the displeasure of seeing them for the first time.
I saw a stranger who stood out from the crowd.
Dressed entirely in black. They had an aura about them.
Their T shirt had strategic rips that exposed skin while
keeping the necessary parts hidden. The Jenes were torn in
a similar facts. They also wore big, thick black combat
(09:04):
boots and had piercings in their ears that shone a bright,
shiny silver reflecting the sun. This person was definitely different,
and it was obvious they were not from Kyle, Texas.
As I observed Betsy from afar, her presence seemed to
radiate an aura of intrigue and mystery. She stood alone,
(09:24):
seemingly unaffected by the curious glances and whispers of the
passers by.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
It was as if she.
Speaker 7 (09:31):
Existed in a world of her own, a realm where
the opinions and judgments of others held no sway over her.
I couldn't help but feel drawn to her, as if
an invisible force was pulling me towards her orbit. There
was something about her that told me she would play
a significant role in my senior year, for better or
for worse. The anticipation of discovering the nature of her
(09:55):
impact on my life filled me with a mixture of
excitement and trepidatione As I watched her, I wondered what
secrets lay behind those piercings and that unconventional attire. What
experiences had shaped her into the person she was today,
What dreams and aspirations fueled her defiant stance against the
(10:17):
norms of our small Texas town. Only time would reveal
the answers to these questions. But one thing was certain.
Betsy was not just another face in the crowd. She
was a force to be reckoned, with a catalyst for
change in a world that so desperately needed it, and I,
for one, was eager to witness the unfolding of her
(10:39):
story and the impact it would.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
Have on my own.
Speaker 7 (10:43):
I continued to my next two classes, but I couldn't
focus on the lessons. Instead, I found myself doodling on
a piece of paper, sketching my perception of Betsy. She
had captivated my thoughts for hours, inspiring hope and the
possibility of a new friend.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
As I headed into my senior year, I felt.
Speaker 7 (11:04):
Optimistic about the classes ahead. My new found optimism came
crashing down the moment I spotted Vanessa in the hallway,
her minions quickly closing in around her. Suddenly, I was
surrounded by the living embodiment of my worst fears, a
stark reminder of the bleak reality I would be forced
to confront every single day for the next year. The
(11:27):
air grew heavy with tension as the starlight circled me
like vultures, their malicious smirks and cold, calculating eyes a
promise of the torment that lay ahead. In that moment,
the flicker of hope I had nurtured so carefully was
snuffed out, replaced by a suffocating sense of dread that
threatened to consume me entirely.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Thank you everybody for listening. We hope that you are
enjoying this episode. We're going to Paul's her story for
this quick break. You are listening to the YA Universe.
To your host CJ. We will see you after these
correct messages, I.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
Stepped off the plane with fire in my chest, dreamed
of your arms where i'd finally rest. Here's in the dirt,
bullets through time, holding your name like a sacred sun.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
But the house is empty, your picture's gone, The key
doesn't fit, and the truth feels wrong.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
My brother said you my last week.
Speaker 5 (12:35):
But not for me. No vow the key.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
And you married him the one welcome me back from
the break. This is the YA universe, and I am
your host. CJ. Remember. Chapters to our novels air on
Monday evenings at eight pm Central Standard Time. The chapters
will continue to air until the novel is complete, and
(13:02):
then a news series will start up shortly after the
completed novel. If this particular novel is not to your liking,
we have short stories that will air randomly and they
are all geared towards young adult fiction enthusiasts. In addition,
anyone listening out there that is interested. If you would
(13:26):
like to hear your story come to life and be
read out loud, then here's your opportunity. Please feel free
to send your stories or poems and if it is read,
you will receive on air acknowledgement that this is your
work of art with your author name and if you
wish a way to contact you for our listeners to
(13:48):
do so. If you'd like to contact us, you can
do so at Underground Artists Network at outlook dot com.
Ready to escape eight out of this world that we
live in every day, Then get comfortable, close your eyes
and let the words flow into your brain. As we
(14:09):
continue this episode's.
Speaker 7 (14:11):
Story, Vanessa saunters up to me, Flanked by the other
five Starlights. She tosses her hair over her shoulder, a
vicious smile playing on her lips.
Speaker 8 (14:23):
Well, well, if it isn't the little orphan, she sneers,
how's your foster daddy, Sarah?
Speaker 9 (14:30):
Have you killed him yet or are you still too
busy seducing him? First?
Speaker 7 (14:35):
My cheeks burn as I shake my head. Stop it, Vanessa,
that's not true, and you know it.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
Why are you doing this to me?
Speaker 7 (14:45):
Vanessa cackles, her minions tittering behind her.
Speaker 8 (14:50):
Oh, poor little Sarah don't like being called out for
your sick little game.
Speaker 9 (14:55):
Boohoo.
Speaker 7 (14:58):
She leans closer, her voice dropping to a menacing whisper.
Speaker 8 (15:04):
I bully you because I can, Sarah, Because You're nothing
and I'm everything.
Speaker 9 (15:13):
You're just a murderer and everyone knows it.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
I bawl, my fists at my sides, my heart pounding.
You're wrong, Vanessa.
Speaker 7 (15:24):
You're just a cruel, ugly person inside and out. You're
the real monster here, not me. Vanessa's eyes flash with rage,
and she shoves me hard against.
Speaker 9 (15:34):
The lockers, You little bitch. How dare you talk to
me like that? You're nothing compared to me.
Speaker 7 (15:42):
The other starlights close in, forming a tight circle around us.
I can feel the eyes of passing students on us,
but no one stops to help. I'm trapped, cornered like
an animal. Vanessa leans closer, her face inches from mine.
Speaker 9 (15:59):
You will never be bad than me, Sarah.
Speaker 8 (16:01):
You're just a pathetic little slut, and everyone knows it.
You'll never be anything more than that.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
Tears prick at my eyes, but I refuse to let
them fall.
Speaker 7 (16:16):
I meet Vanessa's gaze head on, my voice shaking but clear.
You don't know anything about me, Vanessa. You're just a sad,
miserable person who gets off on making others feel small.
But I won't let you break me, no matter how
hard you try. Vanessa's face twists into a sneer as
(16:38):
she looms over me, the other starlights closing in at
her sides. Before I can react, Vanessa shoves me hard,
sending me stumbling backwards. I lose my balance and fall
to the ground, landing painfully on my back. The other
starlights gather around me, forming a tight circle that blocks
out the rest of the world. I try to get up,
(17:00):
but Vanessa plants a foot on my chest, pinning me
in place.
Speaker 8 (17:04):
Not so high and mighty, now, are you, Sarah? This
is what happens to girls who think they're better than us.
Speaker 7 (17:14):
The Starlight's taunts and jeers wash over me as I
struggle to catch my breath, tears sting my eyes, but
I refuse to let them fall. I won't give them
the satisfaction of seeing me break. Just when I think
I can't take any more, I hear a voice cutting
(17:34):
through the chaos.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
What's going on here?
Speaker 7 (17:38):
It's one of the school administrators, a tall woman with
a stern expression on her face. The starlights immediately scatter,
melting away into the crowd like nothing ever happened. The
administrator helps me to my feet, her brow furrowed with concern.
Speaker 5 (17:54):
Are you all right, Sarah?
Speaker 4 (17:57):
What happened here?
Speaker 7 (17:59):
I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
How can I possibly.
Speaker 7 (18:03):
Explain the depths of Vanessa's cruelty, the way she's made
my life a living hell for the past three years.
In the end, I just shake my head, wiping away
the tears that have finally started to fall. It's nothing,
I mumble, just a misunderstanding. The administrator doesn't look convinced,
(18:25):
but she doesn't press me further.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
Well, if you're sure, but if you ever need to talk,
my door is always open.
Speaker 7 (18:34):
I nod, managing a weak smile. Thanks, I say, before
turning and walking away, my legs still shaking from the encounter.
In that moment, as I caught Betsy's gaze from across
the hallway, a flicker of hope ignited within me, like
(18:57):
a ray of sunshine piercing through the darkest storm clouds.
Our eyes met for the briefest of moments, hers filled
with an intensity I couldn't quite decipher, before we both
looked away, me out of shyness, her out of discreetness.
I wondered what thoughts ran through her mind as she
stared in my direction.
Speaker 4 (19:18):
Did she see me as.
Speaker 7 (19:19):
Pathetic, unable to defend myself against the cruelty of the Starlights,
or did she sense the injustice of the situation and
feel a desire to help. The uncertainty lingered, but one
thing was clear. That fleeting connection had given me something
I so desperately lacked.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Hope.
Speaker 7 (19:42):
Maybe, just maybe a new hero could come into my life, one.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
That I needed now more than ever.
Speaker 7 (19:50):
As I navigated the bustling hallways between my remaining classes,
a glimmer of hope.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
Flickered within me.
Speaker 7 (19:56):
Fueled by two distinct desires. I yearned for the absence
of the Starlights, hoping to avoid their cruel presence for
the rest of the day. The thought of their mocking
glares and cutting remarks sent a shiver down my spine,
and I longed for a respite from their torment. Secondly,
(20:17):
my heart ached to catch another glimpse of Betsy, the
enigmatic girl who had captured my attention during the confrontation.
I found myself wondering if our paths would cross again,
and if fate would grant me the opportunity to unravel
the mystery behind her gaze. Perhaps in those fleeting moments
between classes I would find the clarity and connection I
(20:40):
so desperately sought, a beacon of light amidst the shadows
that had engulfed my world. As the final bell echoed
through the halls, marking the end of my first day
of senior year, I couldn't help but feel a sense
of relief mixed with a tinge of disappointment. The day
had passed without any encounters with my adversaries, the Starlights,
(21:03):
but also without any further interaction with Betsy, the girl
who had captured my attention during the conflict in the hallway.
As I reflected on the day, I realized that it
was no different than any of my other school days
over the past three years. My life had been consumed
by the constant need to evade the Starlights, leaving little
(21:23):
room for anything else. Anxiety and depression had become my
constant companions, so much so that they now felt like
a normal part of my existence. Yet, amidst the darkness,
a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of Betsy.
The possibility that she could become my first ally in
this treacherous journey through high school was both exhilarating and terrifying.
(21:48):
The fear of rejection and the all too familiar sting
of failed friendships loomed over me, threatening to extinguish the
faint light that had begun to flicker in my heart.
As I stepped out of the school building and into
the world beyond, I couldn't help but wonder if this
year would be different. Would I finally break free from
the chains of my past and forge new connections, or
(22:10):
would I continue to be a prisoner of my own
fears and insecurities. Only time would tell, But for now
I held on to the hope that maybe, just maybe,
things could change.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
Thank you everybody for listening. We hope that you are
enjoying this episode. We're going to Paul's her story for
this quick break. You are listening to the YA Universe
with your host c J. We will see you after
these quick messages.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
I stepped off the plane with fire in my chest,
dream of your arms, where I'd finally rest years in
the dirt, bullets through time, holding name like a sacred sun.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
But the house is your pictures gone, the key doesn't fit,
and the truth feels wrong.
Speaker 3 (23:06):
My brother said you my last week, but not for
me no vo the Kee.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
And you married him in the world.
Speaker 3 (23:18):
Welcome me back from the break. This is the YA
Universe and I am your host. CJ. Remember. Chapters to
our novels air on Monday evenings at eight pm Central
Standard Time. The chapters will continue to air until the
novel is complete, and then a news series will start
up shortly after the completed novel. If this particular novel
(23:43):
is not to your liking, we have short stories that
will air randomly and they are all geared towards young
adult fiction enthusiasts. In addition, anyone listening out there that
is interested. If you would like to hear your story
come to life and be read out loud, then here's
(24:04):
your opportunity. Please feel free to send your stories or
poets and if it is read, you will receive on
air acknowledgement that this is your work of art with
your author name and if you wish a way to
contact you for our listeners to do so. If you'd
(24:25):
like to contact us, you can do so at Underground
Artists Network at outlet dot com. Ready to escape out
of this world that we live in every day, Then
get comfortable, close your eyes and let the words flow
into your brain as we continue this episode's story.
Speaker 7 (24:46):
My foster parents, Mark and Carrie were the sweetest and
most caring people I knew as always my foster dad
was waiting for me in the parking lot. I could
always depend on them to.
Speaker 4 (24:57):
Be there for me.
Speaker 7 (25:00):
Carry have been nothing but kind to me since I
moved in with them.
Speaker 4 (25:02):
Three years ago.
Speaker 7 (25:06):
Mark was my dad's best friend, and he didn't hesitate
to take me in when my parents died, even though
he and Carry had always been content without children. I
know they were taking a big risk bringing an awkward
teenager into their home, and I appreciate it more than
they know, But sometimes it's hard to let them in,
to trust that they won't leave me like everyone else has.
(25:30):
Carrie is always trying to get me to open up
to her, to confide in her about what's going on
in my life, but I don't know how to explain
the constant anxiety and depression, the relentless bullying that follows.
Speaker 4 (25:42):
Me everywhere I go.
Speaker 7 (25:45):
I can see the confusion and concern in her eyes
when she looks at me, the way she wants to
help but doesn't know how. It's not that I don't
want to let her in. I just don't know how.
Speaker 4 (26:00):
Mark has started to.
Speaker 7 (26:01):
Notice that something's not right with me, that I'm hiding
something from them. He keeps asking me if everything's okay
at school, if there's anything I need to talk about,
But I don't know how to tell him the truth,
to admit that I'm being bullied every single day, that
I feel like I'm drowning in my own misery. I
(26:22):
know he wants to help, but I don't want to
burden him with my problems. He and Carrie have already
done so much for me. I don't want to ask
for anything more. No matter how many times Mark and
carry tell me that I'm a part of their family
now that they love me like their own daughter, there's
a part of me that can't quite believe it. I'm
(26:44):
always waiting for the other shoe to drop, for them
to realize that I'm not worth the trouble and kick
me out. And there's always the fear lurking in the
back of my mind that something will happen to them,
that I'll lose them like I lost my parents.
Speaker 4 (27:01):
It's not that I don't love them. I do more
than I ever thought possible.
Speaker 7 (27:07):
But sometimes love isn't enough to overcome the fear and
the doubt. The last time I saw my parents alive,
it was just a regular summer day, two weeks before
I was supposed to start my freshman year of high school.
We had just come back from a cross country trip,
driving all the way from Los Angeles.
Speaker 4 (27:26):
To Florida and back again.
Speaker 7 (27:28):
We were so happy, so full of life, talking all
about the beaches and the sights we saw along the way.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
All of us were on top of the world.
Speaker 7 (27:38):
But then everything came crashing down. I had spent the
night at a friend's house, and when I got home
the next morning, there were police officers waiting at the
front door. They told me that my parents had been
in a car accident, that they were gone. Just like that,
my whole world fell apart. For weeks, I was consumed
(28:03):
by guilt, wondering if I could have somehow prevented the
accident if I had been home instead of at my
friend's house. I kept thinking that maybe if I had
been there, I could have stopped them from getting in
the car, or convinced them to take a different route.
I never got to say good bye, to tell them
one last time how much I loved them. He pain
(28:25):
of losing my parents was so immense, so all consuming,
that there were times when I didn't think I could
bear it any more. They were the only ones who
had ever truly understood me, who had supported me and
believed in me no matter what. Without them, I felt
like I had nothing left to live for. In my
darkest moments, I found myself contemplating the unthinkable. I thought
(28:49):
about ending it all, about joining my parents wherever they
were now. I thought about how much easier it would
be to just let go, to stop fighting, and give
in to the that was threatening to overwhelm me. I
remember the day I decided to do it. I walked
towards the lake near my house, my heart heavy with
(29:11):
the weight of my decision. As I approached the water,
I felt a strange sense of calm wash over me.
I knew that in a few moments, all my pain
and suffering would be over. I would finally be at peace.
But then something happened that made me pause. As I
(29:35):
was walking towards the lake, I noticed an injured bird
on the ground, flapping its wings weakly and unable to
take off. It looked sickly and helpless, and something about
its plight resonated with me. Without thinking, I scooped up
the bird and brought it home with me. Over the
next few days, I nursed it back to health, feeding
(29:56):
it and caring for it until it was strong enough
to fly again. When the time came to release it
back into the wild, the bird looked at me with
something like gratitude in its eyes before taking off into
the sky. As I watched the bird disappear into the distance,
I realized something. I realized that, just like that bird,
(30:19):
I had the strength to pick myself up and keep going.
I had the power to choose life, to choose to
keep fighting even when it felt impossible.
Speaker 4 (30:31):
The pain of.
Speaker 7 (30:31):
Losing my parents will never fully go away, but I
know now that I can't let.
Speaker 4 (30:36):
It consume me.
Speaker 7 (30:39):
I have to keep living, keep trying, even when it
feels like I can't go on, because just like that bird,
I have the strength within me to spread my wings
and fly again, no matter how many times life knocks
me down.
Speaker 4 (30:56):
Over the years, I struggled with the urge to self harm.
Speaker 7 (30:59):
This condition terrified me and I felt like a burden. However,
my love for nature provided an unexpected therapy. I discovered
an uncanny ability to connect with and help animals, which
became my solace and healing.
Speaker 4 (31:14):
Break three, Break three, Break three, Break three.
Speaker 9 (31:22):
Look at the little spasm head, dorky piece of trash.
Speaker 7 (31:26):
Vanessa yells out for the whole hallway to hear.
Speaker 8 (31:29):
She thinks she's better than us because she has an
older man as her boyfriend.
Speaker 7 (31:34):
I put my head down, trying to avoid the unwonted attention.
Speaker 9 (31:39):
Look at her and the rags she wears.
Speaker 8 (31:42):
Ladies, take a closer look at this California horrors clothes.
Come on, little tramp, come on and fight me once
and for all, you chicken shit.
Speaker 7 (31:51):
Vanessa and the other five Starlights except for Amber, continue
to bully and pressure me to respond. As I keep
my head down, they mock me relentles, with Amber being
the only one who seems bothered after her initial insult
towards me, I lower my head even further as Vanessa
continues her assault, shoving me with increasing force, first a
(32:13):
gentle push, followed by two vicious shoves that send me
crashing into the lockers. The sound of metal reverberating echoes
through the hall, accompanied by the cruel laughter and jeers
of the gathered crowd. They egg Vanessa on, their voices,
blending into a barbaric chorus, hungry for the sight of
my demise. It takes every ounce of my will power
(32:36):
to resist the urge to fight back, to maintain my
composure in the face of such brutality. The weight of
their expectations bears down on me, a suffocating pressure that
threatens to crush my spirit. But still I remain silent,
refusing to give them the satisfaction of my defeat. Amber's
(32:57):
voice cut through the chaos, her tone urgent as she
stepped in front of Vanessa, trying to calm her down
before the administrators arrived. Vanessa's eyes flashed with rage, her
fury intensifying at Amber's intervention. She shoved Amber her hands
like striking serpents. As the other Starlights quickly jumped in
to separate the two. The hallway erupted into a cacophony
(33:20):
of shouts and jeers, the tension thick in the air. Vanessa,
her face twisted with malice, turned her attention back to me,
resuming her relentless attack, Her words like daggers aimed at
my heart. I often wondered what her problem was from
the very first time she saw me, she scowled, and
(33:41):
ever since she has relentlessly attacked me. Still, I kept
asking myself why. I've heard hundreds of stories about Vanessa
since the day I set foot in Memorial High. The
rumors swirl around her like perfume, strong, impossible to ignore,
always lingering in the air. She's the daughter of the
(34:02):
mayor of Kyle, Texas, a role that's been passed down
like some antique watch, from father to son, and now
he wants this for his only child. From what people say,
her dad practically runs the town and her mom is
some big shot director at the hospital. With that kind
of pedigree, it's no wonder the school administrators seem to
(34:23):
worship her. They pretend not to see any of her
screw ups, and her name is always cleared before the
ink from the disciplinary slip can dry. Vanessa is an
only child, and from the outside, her life looks polished
and perfect, the kind of future everyone expects her to
step into as smoothly as she slips on those designer shoes.
(34:45):
Except I've caught whispers about how her parents never let
up on her, always expecting her to outshine everyone go
away to some prestigious college take over the family legacies.
Speaker 4 (34:58):
Maybe that's why she.
Speaker 7 (34:59):
Started drinking partying before most of us even had our
learner's permits.
Speaker 4 (35:04):
There are stories.
Speaker 7 (35:04):
About wild nights at the lake and ugly public breakups
with almost every guy in school she's dated. Each time,
Vanessa walks away unscathed, untouched, her crew trailing behind her
like obedient shadows. I learned quickly that getting on Vanessa's
bad side was a big mistake.
Speaker 4 (35:25):
Back in ninth grade, before i'd.
Speaker 7 (35:27):
Learned all the unspoken rules, I somehow ended up as
Billy's project partner. He was Vanessa's ex boyfriend, a detail
I didn't realize until we were spotted sharing a milkshake
at the local burger joint the next morning. During Jim,
Vanessa slammed my face into a bank of metal lockers
so hard my teeth rattled, then stuffed a dirty sock
(35:48):
in my mouth.
Speaker 9 (35:49):
And hissed, stay away from Billy freak.
Speaker 4 (35:53):
I did, of course, everyone always does.
Speaker 7 (35:57):
Still it seemed to make her angrier just seeing me
in the same way room as him, like I'd stolen
something precious on purpose. The Starlights Vanessa's loyal flock, all
six of them, cheerleaders, all sharper than the pom poms
they wave around the school, and just as fake. Well
maybe except for Amber, but that's another story for another time.
(36:19):
They wear their popularity like armor. Vanessa most of all,
likes to remind me how ugly and hopeless I am,
how I could never be one of them or join
any cool group, as.
Speaker 4 (36:31):
If that's supposed to crush me.
Speaker 7 (36:33):
But I don't care about cheerleading or pep rallies or
any of those things she thinks matter. I'd rather lose
myself in the woods behind my house, drawing milkweed and
monarchs in my sketch book than ever try out for
the squad. Still, it always struck me as strange how
Vanessa radiates all this need to intimidate. But sometimes there's
(36:55):
a tightness around her mouth, a flicker of discomfort when
the attention gets too close. Sometimes it seems like being
popular and pretty is a mask that itches, something she
can't take off even when no one's looking. Deep down,
I can't make sense of why she singles me out
with so much venom. Maybe I remind her of something
(37:17):
she hates about herself, or maybe in a world where
everyone expects perfection, I'm just the easiest target. To day,
Vanessa's assault reaches new heights, her actions fueled by a
violent intent I've never seen before. In the past, she's
employed every tactic of physical and emotional bullying imaginable. But now,
(37:40):
as she pulls my hair back with a force that
threatens to snap my neck, I realize this is different.
Her yelling fills my ears, drowning out all other sounds,
and then with a sudden thrust, she slams my face
into the ground. Pain explodes behind my eyes, and I
taste blood, warm and metallic, trickling down my forehead through
(38:04):
the haze of agony. I wonder what has driven her
to this level of cruelty. Is it something within her,
a darkness that she can't escape, Or am I just
the easiest target, a scapegoat for the perfection she feels
compelled to maintain.
Speaker 4 (38:21):
As the world spins around me. I know one thing
for certain.
Speaker 7 (38:25):
This mask she wears, this facade of popularity and beauty,
is a prison she can't escape, and I am the
one paying the price for her captivity. I struggle to
pull myself up from the unforgiving ground, my body refusing
to co operate as the world spins relentlessly around me.
Through the chaos, I see the gathered crowd, their faces
(38:49):
twisted in cruel amusement, hooting and hollering like a pack
of wild animals. In the midst of the turmoil, I
catch a glimpse of an administrator, her figure h at
the edge of the mayhem for a fleeting moment, I
hope for intervention, but she merely turns away, pretending not
(39:09):
to see the brutality unfolding before her. My vision blurs
and I can't confirm the details, but I think I
see Amber, her face etched with concern as she tries
to pull Vanessa off me. The other four Starlights, loyal
to their leader, attempt to restrain Amber, their actions suggesting
(39:29):
they want nothing more than to see Vanessa finally put
an end to my suffering. I make another feeble attempt
to lift myself from the cold, hard floor, but my
strength betrays me. Resignation washes over me, and I close
my eyes, ready to surrender to the thought of letting
it all go. In that moment, I find a twisted
(39:51):
solace in the idea of Vanessa ending my misery of
finding a better fate in the world beyond this one.
As I brace my myself for the end, the chaos
around me swells to a deafening crescendo. Amidst the disturbance,
voices rise above the din, urging Vanessa to seise her
assault through the haze of pain. I glimpse a figure
(40:14):
pushing through the crowd, a beacon of hope amidst the
sea of cruelty.
Speaker 4 (40:20):
It's Betsy.
Speaker 7 (40:21):
Maybe her presence would be a lifeline in my darkest hour.
I close my eyes once more, clinging to the desperate
hope that my new found hero will reach me.
Speaker 4 (40:31):
In time. The world fades away, narrowing to.
Speaker 7 (40:35):
The hope of Betsy's approach, each step a promise of salvation.
In this moment, I place my trust in the hands
of fate, praying that Betsy would decide to intervene and
spare me from Vanessa's relentless torment.
Speaker 3 (40:51):
Thank you for listening. This concludes this chapter of our story.
This is a Phoenix PA publication produced at Priss dented
by the Underground Artist Network. I am your host, CJ
and just a reminder. New chapters for our novels air
every other Monday at eight pm Central Standard time. Also
(41:16):
look for short stories that will posted randomly on the show.
The questions or comments are story submissions points. You can
contact us at the Underground Artist Network at outlook dot com.
Remember whether listening to our podcast, The YA Universe are
(41:40):
reading any other young adult fiction work. As always, we
thank you for supporting reading. Dream big, Aim high, as
nothing is unachievable. We all have it in us and
you do too. We'll see all of y'all said, curling
(42:04):
up in.
Speaker 1 (42:05):
Bed reading books, teenage dreams, sifting through my fanna see
bread of things?
Speaker 2 (42:20):
Kill me?
Speaker 9 (42:23):
Who're ron on the bad?
Speaker 2 (42:27):
Dream Bad?
Speaker 3 (42:29):
Take a shot?
Speaker 4 (42:31):
What should think?
Speaker 9 (42:32):
Give it all, you guy, change your dream.
Speaker 3 (42:37):
Don't stop.
Speaker 2 (42:38):
Don't stop
Speaker 1 (42:43):
Dream b
Curling up, bim bed, reading books, Gena's dreams, sifting through mine, fantasying.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Che.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Dreamy, take Shot, What's your Thing?
Speaker 4 (00:32):
Give it all you got?
Speaker 5 (00:34):
Jacob do Stop.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Dream. This is your host CJ and Welcome to the
y A Universe. We invite you to escape into worlds
where friendships are tested, hearts race, and everyday struggles collide
with extraordinary adventures. Written and hosted by author Phoenix p.
(01:05):
Each story dies deep into the personal and social challenges
young adults face, from slow burn romances to breath taking
escapism fantasy. Our novels unfold chapter by chapter twice a
month on Monday evenings until that story reaches its final page.
(01:30):
Between novels, you'll also get surprise drops of short stories,
so be sure to turn on notifications so that you
never miss a journey. If you have a YA short
story of your own, submit it and if it's selected,
you'll be credited and hear it come to life on
(01:51):
our show. This is more than just a podcast. It's
a place where young adult fiction fans can relate and
get lost, and worlds both real and a match. The
YA Universe a presentation of the Underground Artist Network let's
(02:15):
go ahead and start our story for this.
Speaker 6 (02:17):
Episode introduction, Seventeen year old Sarah is bracing herself for
the first day of her senior year at Memorial High
the only high school in Kyle, Texas, and the last
place she ever wanted to find herself. After being relentlessly
targeted for three years by a clique called the Starlights
and enduring a summer of online harassment, Sarah has reached
(02:39):
her limit. She's a transfer from Los Angeles, still haunted
by the loss of her parents in a tragic accident,
and struggling to adapt to life with foster parents who
don't quite understand her or her bond with the natural world.
With her confidence hardly intact, Sarah expects nothing but more
cruelty until she knows notices Betsy, a tough looking newcomer
(03:02):
with an air of mystery and no desire to fit
in with the Starlights or anyone else. When Sarah unexpectedly
helps Betsy out of a tight spot, the pair discover
the beginnings of a friendship that could be just what each.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Of them needs.
Speaker 6 (03:15):
But this year, the school faces more than trouble. In
the hallways, news breaks that a city development project could
mean the end of Memorial forever. Will Sarah form a
newfound alliance with Betsy and survive the pressures of senior year?
Can the students rally to save their school. Will the
Starlight's reign of bullying push Sarah past her breaking point
(03:38):
In the shadow of looming demolition and uncertain futures, the
students will have to decide what they're willing to fight
for and who they might become in the process. Welcome
to Memorial High School, Chapter one, Sarah.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
I lay out my.
Speaker 7 (03:53):
First day of school outfit on my bed, a plain
black T shirt, jeans, and my trusty Converse to blend in,
become invisible. After the summer I've had, I just want
to disappear. My stomach churns as I imagine walking through
those doors tomorrow, facing them all again. The texts, posts,
(04:14):
and comments from Vanessa and her minions swarm my mind,
stinging like fresh cuts. I thought I'd escaped the bullying
when I left La, but Vanessa's jealousy over my old
life made me a target from day one. I glance
at my sketch book on the night stand, my pencils
and brushes calling to me like a siren song. More
(04:35):
than anything, I wish I could skip senior year altogether,
just hole up in my room and draw the plants
and animals that I actually connect with, Pour my soul
onto the page, and forget about the Starlights and their
stupid social games. My foster parents try to be supportive,
but they don't really get it.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
They can't protect me from the gauntlet.
Speaker 7 (04:57):
Of the halls, the whispers and snickers.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
I'm on my own.
Speaker 7 (05:02):
I hug my knees to my chest, paralyzed by the
dread building inside me. I don't know if I have
the strength to do this again, to endure another year
in survival mode. All summer long, the star Lights bombarded
me with a barrage of cruel messages and posts. Vanessa
started a rumor that I had secretly murdered my parents
(05:24):
back in LA and was now sleeping with my foster.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
Dad here in Kyle.
Speaker 7 (05:29):
The lies spread like wildfire across social media. Girls I
barely knew were suddenly posting that I was a psycho, killer,
a slut, a manipulative monster. They said I had planned
the car crash that took my parents from me, that
I had tampered with the brakes or spiked my dad's drink.
They claimed I had seduced my foster dad, that we
(05:50):
were carrying on some sick, secret affair behind closed doors.
Girls speculated about how I was probably faking my tears
at my parent's funeral, that I was probably thrilled to
have them out of the way so I could pursue
my twisted fantasies. The rumors were so vicious, so far
from the truth, that they made me feel utterly alone
(06:10):
in the world. I spent nights sobbing into my pillow,
wishing I could just disappear. I even found myself researching
bus tickets out of town, wondering if I should just
run away and leave it all behind. In my darkest moments,
I found myself eyeing the razor blades in the bathroom,
wondering if I'd be better off just ending it all.
(06:34):
The pain of the cuts could never compare to the
agony of seeing my parents faces and names smeared through
the mud by heartless, cruel strangers.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
The smell of fresh new.
Speaker 7 (06:46):
Books fills the air as I step into the classroom.
There's something hopeful about the crisp, unopened pages, like they
hold the promise of a new beginning. For a moment,
I allow myself to get lost in the excitement of
learning new things, of diving into uncharted territory. I scan
(07:08):
the faces around me, spotting a few new students I
don't recognize. There's something comforting about their presence. They don't
know my past, my reputation. They might actually give me
a chance. I feel a flicker of hope in my chest,
daring to imagine what it would be like to start fresh,
(07:31):
to be known for something other than the lies and
rumors that have defined me for so long. As I
walk through the halls, I can't help but notice the
buzz of change in the air. It's like everyone is
holding their breath, waiting to see what senior year will bring.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
There's a sense of possibility, of potential.
Speaker 7 (07:56):
I try to focus on that feeling, to let it
drown out the anxiety that's been gnawing at me for weeks.
I remind myself that this is it the final chapter
of my high school years.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
After this, I'll be free to start.
Speaker 7 (08:12):
Over, somewhere new, to leave the pain and trauma of
the past four years behind me.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
The thought fills me with.
Speaker 7 (08:20):
A mix of terror and exhilaration. I don't know what
the future holds, but I know that I'm ready to
face it head on. After my first two classes, I
noticed another positive development. I haven't encountered any of the
six Starlights, including their leader Vanessa. I'm glad to have
(08:41):
avoided the displeasure of seeing them for the first time.
I saw a stranger who stood out from the crowd.
Dressed entirely in black. They had an aura about them.
Their T shirt had strategic rips that exposed skin while
keeping the necessary parts hidden. The Jenes were torn in
a similar facts. They also wore big, thick black combat
(09:04):
boots and had piercings in their ears that shone a bright,
shiny silver reflecting the sun. This person was definitely different,
and it was obvious they were not from Kyle, Texas.
As I observed Betsy from afar, her presence seemed to
radiate an aura of intrigue and mystery. She stood alone,
(09:24):
seemingly unaffected by the curious glances and whispers of the
passers by.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
It was as if she.
Speaker 7 (09:31):
Existed in a world of her own, a realm where
the opinions and judgments of others held no sway over her.
I couldn't help but feel drawn to her, as if
an invisible force was pulling me towards her orbit. There
was something about her that told me she would play
a significant role in my senior year, for better or
for worse. The anticipation of discovering the nature of her
(09:55):
impact on my life filled me with a mixture of
excitement and trepidatione As I watched her, I wondered what
secrets lay behind those piercings and that unconventional attire. What
experiences had shaped her into the person she was today,
What dreams and aspirations fueled her defiant stance against the
(10:17):
norms of our small Texas town. Only time would reveal
the answers to these questions. But one thing was certain.
Betsy was not just another face in the crowd. She
was a force to be reckoned, with a catalyst for
change in a world that so desperately needed it, and I,
for one, was eager to witness the unfolding of her
(10:39):
story and the impact it would.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
Have on my own.
Speaker 7 (10:43):
I continued to my next two classes, but I couldn't
focus on the lessons. Instead, I found myself doodling on
a piece of paper, sketching my perception of Betsy. She
had captivated my thoughts for hours, inspiring hope and the
possibility of a new friend.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
As I headed into my senior year, I felt.
Speaker 7 (11:04):
Optimistic about the classes ahead. My new found optimism came
crashing down the moment I spotted Vanessa in the hallway,
her minions quickly closing in around her. Suddenly, I was
surrounded by the living embodiment of my worst fears, a
stark reminder of the bleak reality I would be forced
to confront every single day for the next year. The
(11:27):
air grew heavy with tension as the starlight circled me
like vultures, their malicious smirks and cold, calculating eyes a
promise of the torment that lay ahead. In that moment,
the flicker of hope I had nurtured so carefully was
snuffed out, replaced by a suffocating sense of dread that
threatened to consume me entirely.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Thank you everybody for listening. We hope that you are
enjoying this episode. We're going to Paul's her story for
this quick break. You are listening to the YA Universe.
To your host CJ. We will see you after these
correct messages, I.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
Stepped off the plane with fire in my chest, dreamed
of your arms where i'd finally rest. Here's in the dirt,
bullets through time, holding your name like a sacred sun.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
But the house is empty, your picture's gone, The key
doesn't fit, and the truth feels wrong.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
My brother said you my last week.
Speaker 5 (12:35):
But not for me. No vow the key.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
And you married him the one welcome me back from
the break. This is the YA universe, and I am
your host. CJ. Remember. Chapters to our novels air on
Monday evenings at eight pm Central Standard Time. The chapters
will continue to air until the novel is complete, and
(13:02):
then a news series will start up shortly after the
completed novel. If this particular novel is not to your liking,
we have short stories that will air randomly and they
are all geared towards young adult fiction enthusiasts. In addition,
anyone listening out there that is interested. If you would
(13:26):
like to hear your story come to life and be
read out loud, then here's your opportunity. Please feel free
to send your stories or poems and if it is read,
you will receive on air acknowledgement that this is your
work of art with your author name and if you
wish a way to contact you for our listeners to
(13:48):
do so. If you'd like to contact us, you can
do so at Underground Artists Network at outlook dot com.
Ready to escape eight out of this world that we
live in every day, Then get comfortable, close your eyes
and let the words flow into your brain. As we
(14:09):
continue this episode's.
Speaker 7 (14:11):
Story, Vanessa saunters up to me, Flanked by the other
five Starlights. She tosses her hair over her shoulder, a
vicious smile playing on her lips.
Speaker 8 (14:23):
Well, well, if it isn't the little orphan, she sneers,
how's your foster daddy, Sarah?
Speaker 9 (14:30):
Have you killed him yet or are you still too
busy seducing him? First?
Speaker 7 (14:35):
My cheeks burn as I shake my head. Stop it, Vanessa,
that's not true, and you know it.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
Why are you doing this to me?
Speaker 7 (14:45):
Vanessa cackles, her minions tittering behind her.
Speaker 8 (14:50):
Oh, poor little Sarah don't like being called out for
your sick little game.
Speaker 9 (14:55):
Boohoo.
Speaker 7 (14:58):
She leans closer, her voice dropping to a menacing whisper.
Speaker 8 (15:04):
I bully you because I can, Sarah, Because You're nothing
and I'm everything.
Speaker 9 (15:13):
You're just a murderer and everyone knows it.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
I bawl, my fists at my sides, my heart pounding.
You're wrong, Vanessa.
Speaker 7 (15:24):
You're just a cruel, ugly person inside and out. You're
the real monster here, not me. Vanessa's eyes flash with rage,
and she shoves me hard against.
Speaker 9 (15:34):
The lockers, You little bitch. How dare you talk to
me like that? You're nothing compared to me.
Speaker 7 (15:42):
The other starlights close in, forming a tight circle around us.
I can feel the eyes of passing students on us,
but no one stops to help. I'm trapped, cornered like
an animal. Vanessa leans closer, her face inches from mine.
Speaker 9 (15:59):
You will never be bad than me, Sarah.
Speaker 8 (16:01):
You're just a pathetic little slut, and everyone knows it.
You'll never be anything more than that.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
Tears prick at my eyes, but I refuse to let
them fall.
Speaker 7 (16:16):
I meet Vanessa's gaze head on, my voice shaking but clear.
You don't know anything about me, Vanessa. You're just a sad,
miserable person who gets off on making others feel small.
But I won't let you break me, no matter how
hard you try. Vanessa's face twists into a sneer as
(16:38):
she looms over me, the other starlights closing in at
her sides. Before I can react, Vanessa shoves me hard,
sending me stumbling backwards. I lose my balance and fall
to the ground, landing painfully on my back. The other
starlights gather around me, forming a tight circle that blocks
out the rest of the world. I try to get up,
(17:00):
but Vanessa plants a foot on my chest, pinning me
in place.
Speaker 8 (17:04):
Not so high and mighty, now, are you, Sarah? This
is what happens to girls who think they're better than us.
Speaker 7 (17:14):
The Starlight's taunts and jeers wash over me as I
struggle to catch my breath, tears sting my eyes, but
I refuse to let them fall. I won't give them
the satisfaction of seeing me break. Just when I think
I can't take any more, I hear a voice cutting
(17:34):
through the chaos.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
What's going on here?
Speaker 7 (17:38):
It's one of the school administrators, a tall woman with
a stern expression on her face. The starlights immediately scatter,
melting away into the crowd like nothing ever happened. The
administrator helps me to my feet, her brow furrowed with concern.
Speaker 5 (17:54):
Are you all right, Sarah?
Speaker 4 (17:57):
What happened here?
Speaker 7 (17:59):
I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
How can I possibly.
Speaker 7 (18:03):
Explain the depths of Vanessa's cruelty, the way she's made
my life a living hell for the past three years.
In the end, I just shake my head, wiping away
the tears that have finally started to fall. It's nothing,
I mumble, just a misunderstanding. The administrator doesn't look convinced,
(18:25):
but she doesn't press me further.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
Well, if you're sure, but if you ever need to talk,
my door is always open.
Speaker 7 (18:34):
I nod, managing a weak smile. Thanks, I say, before
turning and walking away, my legs still shaking from the encounter.
In that moment, as I caught Betsy's gaze from across
the hallway, a flicker of hope ignited within me, like
(18:57):
a ray of sunshine piercing through the darkest storm clouds.
Our eyes met for the briefest of moments, hers filled
with an intensity I couldn't quite decipher, before we both
looked away, me out of shyness, her out of discreetness.
I wondered what thoughts ran through her mind as she
stared in my direction.
Speaker 4 (19:18):
Did she see me as.
Speaker 7 (19:19):
Pathetic, unable to defend myself against the cruelty of the Starlights,
or did she sense the injustice of the situation and
feel a desire to help. The uncertainty lingered, but one
thing was clear. That fleeting connection had given me something
I so desperately lacked.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Hope.
Speaker 7 (19:42):
Maybe, just maybe a new hero could come into my life, one.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
That I needed now more than ever.
Speaker 7 (19:50):
As I navigated the bustling hallways between my remaining classes,
a glimmer of hope.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
Flickered within me.
Speaker 7 (19:56):
Fueled by two distinct desires. I yearned for the absence
of the Starlights, hoping to avoid their cruel presence for
the rest of the day. The thought of their mocking
glares and cutting remarks sent a shiver down my spine,
and I longed for a respite from their torment. Secondly,
(20:17):
my heart ached to catch another glimpse of Betsy, the
enigmatic girl who had captured my attention during the confrontation.
I found myself wondering if our paths would cross again,
and if fate would grant me the opportunity to unravel
the mystery behind her gaze. Perhaps in those fleeting moments
between classes I would find the clarity and connection I
(20:40):
so desperately sought, a beacon of light amidst the shadows
that had engulfed my world. As the final bell echoed
through the halls, marking the end of my first day
of senior year, I couldn't help but feel a sense
of relief mixed with a tinge of disappointment. The day
had passed without any encounters with my adversaries, the Starlights,
(21:03):
but also without any further interaction with Betsy, the girl
who had captured my attention during the conflict in the hallway.
As I reflected on the day, I realized that it
was no different than any of my other school days
over the past three years. My life had been consumed
by the constant need to evade the Starlights, leaving little
(21:23):
room for anything else. Anxiety and depression had become my
constant companions, so much so that they now felt like
a normal part of my existence. Yet, amidst the darkness,
a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of Betsy.
The possibility that she could become my first ally in
this treacherous journey through high school was both exhilarating and terrifying.
(21:48):
The fear of rejection and the all too familiar sting
of failed friendships loomed over me, threatening to extinguish the
faint light that had begun to flicker in my heart.
As I stepped out of the school building and into
the world beyond, I couldn't help but wonder if this
year would be different. Would I finally break free from
the chains of my past and forge new connections, or
(22:10):
would I continue to be a prisoner of my own
fears and insecurities. Only time would tell, But for now
I held on to the hope that maybe, just maybe,
things could change.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
Thank you everybody for listening. We hope that you are
enjoying this episode. We're going to Paul's her story for
this quick break. You are listening to the YA Universe
with your host c J. We will see you after
these quick messages.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
I stepped off the plane with fire in my chest,
dream of your arms, where I'd finally rest years in
the dirt, bullets through time, holding name like a sacred sun.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
But the house is your pictures gone, the key doesn't fit,
and the truth feels wrong.
Speaker 3 (23:06):
My brother said you my last week, but not for
me no vo the Kee.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
And you married him in the world.
Speaker 3 (23:18):
Welcome me back from the break. This is the YA
Universe and I am your host. CJ. Remember. Chapters to
our novels air on Monday evenings at eight pm Central
Standard Time. The chapters will continue to air until the
novel is complete, and then a news series will start
up shortly after the completed novel. If this particular novel
(23:43):
is not to your liking, we have short stories that
will air randomly and they are all geared towards young
adult fiction enthusiasts. In addition, anyone listening out there that
is interested. If you would like to hear your story
come to life and be read out loud, then here's
(24:04):
your opportunity. Please feel free to send your stories or
poets and if it is read, you will receive on
air acknowledgement that this is your work of art with
your author name and if you wish a way to
contact you for our listeners to do so. If you'd
(24:25):
like to contact us, you can do so at Underground
Artists Network at outlet dot com. Ready to escape out
of this world that we live in every day, Then
get comfortable, close your eyes and let the words flow
into your brain as we continue this episode's story.
Speaker 7 (24:46):
My foster parents, Mark and Carrie were the sweetest and
most caring people I knew as always my foster dad
was waiting for me in the parking lot. I could
always depend on them to.
Speaker 4 (24:57):
Be there for me.
Speaker 7 (25:00):
Carry have been nothing but kind to me since I
moved in with them.
Speaker 4 (25:02):
Three years ago.
Speaker 7 (25:06):
Mark was my dad's best friend, and he didn't hesitate
to take me in when my parents died, even though
he and Carry had always been content without children. I
know they were taking a big risk bringing an awkward
teenager into their home, and I appreciate it more than
they know, But sometimes it's hard to let them in,
to trust that they won't leave me like everyone else has.
(25:30):
Carrie is always trying to get me to open up
to her, to confide in her about what's going on
in my life, but I don't know how to explain
the constant anxiety and depression, the relentless bullying that follows.
Speaker 4 (25:42):
Me everywhere I go.
Speaker 7 (25:45):
I can see the confusion and concern in her eyes
when she looks at me, the way she wants to
help but doesn't know how. It's not that I don't
want to let her in. I just don't know how.
Speaker 4 (26:00):
Mark has started to.
Speaker 7 (26:01):
Notice that something's not right with me, that I'm hiding
something from them. He keeps asking me if everything's okay
at school, if there's anything I need to talk about,
But I don't know how to tell him the truth,
to admit that I'm being bullied every single day, that
I feel like I'm drowning in my own misery. I
(26:22):
know he wants to help, but I don't want to
burden him with my problems. He and Carrie have already
done so much for me. I don't want to ask
for anything more. No matter how many times Mark and
carry tell me that I'm a part of their family
now that they love me like their own daughter, there's
a part of me that can't quite believe it. I'm
(26:44):
always waiting for the other shoe to drop, for them
to realize that I'm not worth the trouble and kick
me out. And there's always the fear lurking in the
back of my mind that something will happen to them,
that I'll lose them like I lost my parents.
Speaker 4 (27:01):
It's not that I don't love them. I do more
than I ever thought possible.
Speaker 7 (27:07):
But sometimes love isn't enough to overcome the fear and
the doubt. The last time I saw my parents alive,
it was just a regular summer day, two weeks before
I was supposed to start my freshman year of high school.
We had just come back from a cross country trip,
driving all the way from Los Angeles.
Speaker 4 (27:26):
To Florida and back again.
Speaker 7 (27:28):
We were so happy, so full of life, talking all
about the beaches and the sights we saw along the way.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
All of us were on top of the world.
Speaker 7 (27:38):
But then everything came crashing down. I had spent the
night at a friend's house, and when I got home
the next morning, there were police officers waiting at the
front door. They told me that my parents had been
in a car accident, that they were gone. Just like that,
my whole world fell apart. For weeks, I was consumed
(28:03):
by guilt, wondering if I could have somehow prevented the
accident if I had been home instead of at my
friend's house. I kept thinking that maybe if I had
been there, I could have stopped them from getting in
the car, or convinced them to take a different route.
I never got to say good bye, to tell them
one last time how much I loved them. He pain
(28:25):
of losing my parents was so immense, so all consuming,
that there were times when I didn't think I could
bear it any more. They were the only ones who
had ever truly understood me, who had supported me and
believed in me no matter what. Without them, I felt
like I had nothing left to live for. In my
darkest moments, I found myself contemplating the unthinkable. I thought
(28:49):
about ending it all, about joining my parents wherever they
were now. I thought about how much easier it would
be to just let go, to stop fighting, and give
in to the that was threatening to overwhelm me. I
remember the day I decided to do it. I walked
towards the lake near my house, my heart heavy with
(29:11):
the weight of my decision. As I approached the water,
I felt a strange sense of calm wash over me.
I knew that in a few moments, all my pain
and suffering would be over. I would finally be at peace.
But then something happened that made me pause. As I
(29:35):
was walking towards the lake, I noticed an injured bird
on the ground, flapping its wings weakly and unable to
take off. It looked sickly and helpless, and something about
its plight resonated with me. Without thinking, I scooped up
the bird and brought it home with me. Over the
next few days, I nursed it back to health, feeding
(29:56):
it and caring for it until it was strong enough
to fly again. When the time came to release it
back into the wild, the bird looked at me with
something like gratitude in its eyes before taking off into
the sky. As I watched the bird disappear into the distance,
I realized something. I realized that, just like that bird,
(30:19):
I had the strength to pick myself up and keep going.
I had the power to choose life, to choose to
keep fighting even when it felt impossible.
Speaker 4 (30:31):
The pain of.
Speaker 7 (30:31):
Losing my parents will never fully go away, but I
know now that I can't let.
Speaker 4 (30:36):
It consume me.
Speaker 7 (30:39):
I have to keep living, keep trying, even when it
feels like I can't go on, because just like that bird,
I have the strength within me to spread my wings
and fly again, no matter how many times life knocks
me down.
Speaker 4 (30:56):
Over the years, I struggled with the urge to self harm.
Speaker 7 (30:59):
This condition terrified me and I felt like a burden. However,
my love for nature provided an unexpected therapy. I discovered
an uncanny ability to connect with and help animals, which
became my solace and healing.
Speaker 4 (31:14):
Break three, Break three, Break three, Break three.
Speaker 9 (31:22):
Look at the little spasm head, dorky piece of trash.
Speaker 7 (31:26):
Vanessa yells out for the whole hallway to hear.
Speaker 8 (31:29):
She thinks she's better than us because she has an
older man as her boyfriend.
Speaker 7 (31:34):
I put my head down, trying to avoid the unwonted attention.
Speaker 9 (31:39):
Look at her and the rags she wears.
Speaker 8 (31:42):
Ladies, take a closer look at this California horrors clothes.
Come on, little tramp, come on and fight me once
and for all, you chicken shit.
Speaker 7 (31:51):
Vanessa and the other five Starlights except for Amber, continue
to bully and pressure me to respond. As I keep
my head down, they mock me relentles, with Amber being
the only one who seems bothered after her initial insult
towards me, I lower my head even further as Vanessa
continues her assault, shoving me with increasing force, first a
(32:13):
gentle push, followed by two vicious shoves that send me
crashing into the lockers. The sound of metal reverberating echoes
through the hall, accompanied by the cruel laughter and jeers
of the gathered crowd. They egg Vanessa on, their voices,
blending into a barbaric chorus, hungry for the sight of
my demise. It takes every ounce of my will power
(32:36):
to resist the urge to fight back, to maintain my
composure in the face of such brutality. The weight of
their expectations bears down on me, a suffocating pressure that
threatens to crush my spirit. But still I remain silent,
refusing to give them the satisfaction of my defeat. Amber's
(32:57):
voice cut through the chaos, her tone urgent as she
stepped in front of Vanessa, trying to calm her down
before the administrators arrived. Vanessa's eyes flashed with rage, her
fury intensifying at Amber's intervention. She shoved Amber her hands
like striking serpents. As the other Starlights quickly jumped in
to separate the two. The hallway erupted into a cacophony
(33:20):
of shouts and jeers, the tension thick in the air. Vanessa,
her face twisted with malice, turned her attention back to me,
resuming her relentless attack, Her words like daggers aimed at
my heart. I often wondered what her problem was from
the very first time she saw me, she scowled, and
(33:41):
ever since she has relentlessly attacked me. Still, I kept
asking myself why. I've heard hundreds of stories about Vanessa
since the day I set foot in Memorial High. The
rumors swirl around her like perfume, strong, impossible to ignore,
always lingering in the air. She's the daughter of the
(34:02):
mayor of Kyle, Texas, a role that's been passed down
like some antique watch, from father to son, and now
he wants this for his only child. From what people say,
her dad practically runs the town and her mom is
some big shot director at the hospital. With that kind
of pedigree, it's no wonder the school administrators seem to
(34:23):
worship her. They pretend not to see any of her
screw ups, and her name is always cleared before the
ink from the disciplinary slip can dry. Vanessa is an
only child, and from the outside, her life looks polished
and perfect, the kind of future everyone expects her to
step into as smoothly as she slips on those designer shoes.
(34:45):
Except I've caught whispers about how her parents never let
up on her, always expecting her to outshine everyone go
away to some prestigious college take over the family legacies.
Speaker 4 (34:58):
Maybe that's why she.
Speaker 7 (34:59):
Started drinking partying before most of us even had our
learner's permits.
Speaker 4 (35:04):
There are stories.
Speaker 7 (35:04):
About wild nights at the lake and ugly public breakups
with almost every guy in school she's dated. Each time,
Vanessa walks away unscathed, untouched, her crew trailing behind her
like obedient shadows. I learned quickly that getting on Vanessa's
bad side was a big mistake.
Speaker 4 (35:25):
Back in ninth grade, before i'd.
Speaker 7 (35:27):
Learned all the unspoken rules, I somehow ended up as
Billy's project partner. He was Vanessa's ex boyfriend, a detail
I didn't realize until we were spotted sharing a milkshake
at the local burger joint the next morning. During Jim,
Vanessa slammed my face into a bank of metal lockers
so hard my teeth rattled, then stuffed a dirty sock
(35:48):
in my mouth.
Speaker 9 (35:49):
And hissed, stay away from Billy freak.
Speaker 4 (35:53):
I did, of course, everyone always does.
Speaker 7 (35:57):
Still it seemed to make her angrier just seeing me
in the same way room as him, like I'd stolen
something precious on purpose. The Starlights Vanessa's loyal flock, all
six of them, cheerleaders, all sharper than the pom poms
they wave around the school, and just as fake. Well
maybe except for Amber, but that's another story for another time.
(36:19):
They wear their popularity like armor. Vanessa most of all,
likes to remind me how ugly and hopeless I am,
how I could never be one of them or join
any cool group, as.
Speaker 4 (36:31):
If that's supposed to crush me.
Speaker 7 (36:33):
But I don't care about cheerleading or pep rallies or
any of those things she thinks matter. I'd rather lose
myself in the woods behind my house, drawing milkweed and
monarchs in my sketch book than ever try out for
the squad. Still, it always struck me as strange how
Vanessa radiates all this need to intimidate. But sometimes there's
(36:55):
a tightness around her mouth, a flicker of discomfort when
the attention gets too close. Sometimes it seems like being
popular and pretty is a mask that itches, something she
can't take off even when no one's looking. Deep down,
I can't make sense of why she singles me out
with so much venom. Maybe I remind her of something
(37:17):
she hates about herself, or maybe in a world where
everyone expects perfection, I'm just the easiest target. To day,
Vanessa's assault reaches new heights, her actions fueled by a
violent intent I've never seen before. In the past, she's
employed every tactic of physical and emotional bullying imaginable. But now,
(37:40):
as she pulls my hair back with a force that
threatens to snap my neck, I realize this is different.
Her yelling fills my ears, drowning out all other sounds,
and then with a sudden thrust, she slams my face
into the ground. Pain explodes behind my eyes, and I
taste blood, warm and metallic, trickling down my forehead through
(38:04):
the haze of agony. I wonder what has driven her
to this level of cruelty. Is it something within her,
a darkness that she can't escape, Or am I just
the easiest target, a scapegoat for the perfection she feels
compelled to maintain.
Speaker 4 (38:21):
As the world spins around me. I know one thing
for certain.
Speaker 7 (38:25):
This mask she wears, this facade of popularity and beauty,
is a prison she can't escape, and I am the
one paying the price for her captivity. I struggle to
pull myself up from the unforgiving ground, my body refusing
to co operate as the world spins relentlessly around me.
Through the chaos, I see the gathered crowd, their faces
(38:49):
twisted in cruel amusement, hooting and hollering like a pack
of wild animals. In the midst of the turmoil, I
catch a glimpse of an administrator, her figure h at
the edge of the mayhem for a fleeting moment, I
hope for intervention, but she merely turns away, pretending not
(39:09):
to see the brutality unfolding before her. My vision blurs
and I can't confirm the details, but I think I
see Amber, her face etched with concern as she tries
to pull Vanessa off me. The other four Starlights, loyal
to their leader, attempt to restrain Amber, their actions suggesting
(39:29):
they want nothing more than to see Vanessa finally put
an end to my suffering. I make another feeble attempt
to lift myself from the cold, hard floor, but my
strength betrays me. Resignation washes over me, and I close
my eyes, ready to surrender to the thought of letting
it all go. In that moment, I find a twisted
(39:51):
solace in the idea of Vanessa ending my misery of
finding a better fate in the world beyond this one.
As I brace my myself for the end, the chaos
around me swells to a deafening crescendo. Amidst the disturbance,
voices rise above the din, urging Vanessa to seise her
assault through the haze of pain. I glimpse a figure
(40:14):
pushing through the crowd, a beacon of hope amidst the
sea of cruelty.
Speaker 4 (40:20):
It's Betsy.
Speaker 7 (40:21):
Maybe her presence would be a lifeline in my darkest hour.
I close my eyes once more, clinging to the desperate
hope that my new found hero will reach me.
Speaker 4 (40:31):
In time. The world fades away, narrowing to.
Speaker 7 (40:35):
The hope of Betsy's approach, each step a promise of salvation.
In this moment, I place my trust in the hands
of fate, praying that Betsy would decide to intervene and
spare me from Vanessa's relentless torment.
Speaker 3 (40:51):
Thank you for listening. This concludes this chapter of our story.
This is a Phoenix PA publication produced at Priss dented
by the Underground Artist Network. I am your host, CJ
and just a reminder. New chapters for our novels air
every other Monday at eight pm Central Standard time. Also
(41:16):
look for short stories that will posted randomly on the show.
The questions or comments are story submissions points. You can
contact us at the Underground Artist Network at outlook dot com.
Remember whether listening to our podcast, The YA Universe are
(41:40):
reading any other young adult fiction work. As always, we
thank you for supporting reading. Dream big, Aim high, as
nothing is unachievable. We all have it in us and
you do too. We'll see all of y'all said, curling
(42:04):
up in.
Speaker 1 (42:05):
Bed reading books, teenage dreams, sifting through my fanna see
bread of things?
Speaker 2 (42:20):
Kill me?
Speaker 9 (42:23):
Who're ron on the bad?
Speaker 2 (42:27):
Dream Bad?
Speaker 3 (42:29):
Take a shot?
Speaker 4 (42:31):
What should think?
Speaker 9 (42:32):
Give it all, you guy, change your dream.
Speaker 3 (42:37):
Don't stop.
Speaker 2 (42:38):
Don't stop
Speaker 1 (42:43):
Dream b
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