First Place, Youth Fiction
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The Best First Day on the Job Ever, by Madeline Steadman
Location: Library
Object: Mirror
Line: “They told me not to, but…”
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I woke to my mom screaming “THALIA GET DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW OR YOU'LL BE LATE FOR YOUR JOB INTERVIEW!”
“COMING MOM” I yell back.
I quickly do my hair as I brush my teeth. I do messy braids. I spit out my toothpaste and put on my favorite white dress with embroidered wild flowers. Then I put on a cute pink sweater with clouds on it over the dress. I run down stairs to the kitchen, grab a piece of
toast with strawberry jam on it, slide on my brown leather boots and grab my leather purse. I go outside and get on my broom.
My mom comes out and says “impressive…… five minutes……but I'm driving”.
“Mom, why wont you let me, all the other apprentices will think I'm a baby and on the application form I said I had my drivers licence.”
“Fine” she replies, “but you have to call me”
“ok mom, Sophie put a reminder to call mom at twelve”. A tiny pixie flew out of my pocket.
“Ok reminder set”
“Thanks sophie” I reply. I pull out my phone and Sophie flies back inside. “All right all set”
“Love you sweetie, good luck” calls my mom.
“Bye” I called back.
And just like that I'm off zooming through the sky, my blond hair blowing round in the wind looking at all the shops under me. Then I’m passing by Malkin's wands shop. Madam Heldrik herbal medicine, and my favorite coffee shop and diner, and then the library. As I land and park my broom an old man comes out. He is wearing a nice blue sweater and some tan trousers.
“You must be Thalia,” he says.
“Pleasure to meet you”
“Oh please, the pleasure is all mine” he responds giving me a firm handshake. “Come inside come inside. We wouldn't want our newest employee to freeze now would we?"
"but sir” I said perplexed “I am only here for a job interview"
"Well” he says “no one else signed up so you're hired! Welcome to the Marvalo family here at the Marvolo library. We value our customers and employees so if you need anything just ask. Also we know you're a seer but please don't read the customers minds! You will work here at our information desk. You will be here for any questions and for any book recommendations.”
“Cool” I reply “when do i start?”
“Now” he says “Quickly, here is your name tag now get behind the info desk!”
The doors burst open and crowds come in. I admit I got very stressed, but was relieved when more than half of them went to the large meeting room for morning yoga class. My first customer came up and my heart skipped a beat. He was a handsome boy with slick black hair and a cute smile.
“hhh…hi who are you?”
“I'm Martin and I'm looking for a book on how to get a girl, but it seems I was too late because my dream girl is right in front of me!” he says “how about you meet me here at 12:00?”
“but..but the library is closed then” I say “You got the keys though?” “Well yes” I say.
And he says “see you then!” and he strutted off. They told me not to, but I just had to read his mind.
So I looked and I saw that he was planning on killing me and then unleashing a monster to destroy the library, and then the rest of the city! Then I knew what I had to do.
I had a plan. I told my mom all about my plan and she said she would reach out to the local police department. I got dressed and then did my hair. I looked into a mirror to check I was pretty and that my wand was well hidden in my hair. Then I headed back to the library. I flew the same route I did that morning, but this time with more fear and anxiety. I looked at the shops below wondering if they may be the last things I ever saw. I stopped and lingered at the deli and took my sweet time eating my favorite donut. Wondering if it would be the last thing I would ever taste.
When I got to the Library Martin was already waiting at the front doors. He told me he was glad I could make it. We went in. I then waited till we got to the romance section and stopped. Then I picked up a book entitled Wonder Struck.
He asked me why I picked up that book and I replied “as a signal”
He started to say “wha..” But was cut off as the police came out from behind the bookshelf and he tried to kill them! He blasted one out a window. Then hung one on a chandelier and tied the other up in vines and thorns. I trembled in fear. Feeling afraid I took out my wand and felt a burning in my heart. My ruby amulet began to come alive. There was a fire burning inside of it and the tips of my hair turned to fire! My humble outfit turned into a red dress with a slit at the front. I was wearing red gloves and was holding a sword. I felt a burning inside of me.. A power! I fought a great battle. I could have killed him but I hand cuffed him and took him to jail instead. His wand was snapped in half.
I was voted employee of the month and I used the money for turning him in to upgrade me and mothers tiny house and changed our lives. Now I even have a little sister and she is my whole world. I was eventually elected mayor and under my leadership all were safe and nothing like this ever happened again.