Act Seven
I remember writing this story when I was twelve almost thirteen. I remember putting my own thoughts and feelings into the story. The reason this old story is so special to me is the fact that it displays some of the struggles I went through when living with my unsaved parents and grandparents. The story itself is not the same as my life, but the life I lived is spread out among the different
characters’ pasts and actions. That is why it is so special.
Ryu’s Anger
(Excerpt from the story My Caring Savior written by Anne Nguyen) Celesta Namori is the new exchange student at Osamu High School. Though she is shunned because of her faith, she finds friends in the small group of Christians students, including Kenji Hatake. After befriending and thoroughly confusing Yu Hashibana, she is confronted by Ryu Takagawa, the smartest kid in school. Not
knowing the complete story, she tries to apologize and make amends.
Ryu put away his things and walked to his after school guitar and piano lessons. As he waited, he opened his binder to study, and the piece of paper Celesta put in there fell out. What’s this? Ryu opened it and began reading. Ryu-san, I know that you’ve had a hard life, but I don’t know how it has
anything to do with me. It doesn’t matter though. I wrote a poem/prose for you to read. I hope the Scripture inside the words will comfort you. I know that you aren’t saved. If you have any questions please ask me or Kenji. I know he has been praying or you.
-Celesta
Though dark times come and I despair,
My Almighty God is always there.
When temptations and pain come my way,
I grasp God’s Word and by it I will stay.
Loving is the Lord, guiding me from above.
When I am angry at trials, He sends His unchanging love.
A shameful sinner I stand before Thee, O God.
Forever thankful for the priceless gift of Your Son.
Oh, how marvelous art Thou, oh Lord.
I will cling to thee through great sorrows and sufferings.
Thou shalt protect me from the Devil and his flaming darts.
I follow only you, Healer of my heart.
Ryu stared at the piece of paper in disbelief. You’ve got to be kidding me. First she knows about my life. Then she thinks she can fool me into getting saved? This girl really knows how to push my buttons. I’ll kill the person who told her about me too. Ryu skimmed the note one more time as he walked to the trash can. A few lines bothered him. “’Though dark times come and I despair, my
Almighty God is always there.’ What?” Ryu murmured sitting back down. “What does that mean? I don’t understand.” He looked at a different line hoping to get answers. “’When I am angry at trials, He sends His unchanging love.’ There is no god that loves. There is no one that loves me for me.” Ryu angrily growled. “’I will cling to Thee through great sorrows and sufferings’” Does she honestly be-
lieve in this invisible god? No, she is being stupid. She purposely wrote this to trick me. Ryu was about to rip the paper when a line caught his eye. “’I will follow only you, Healer of my heart.’ I want to be healed too.” he murmured. Where does she get this faith? Where is her peace coming from? I want to be comforted. It’s been so long since I’ve heard a gentle word that wasn’t school related. That’s all that my parents love. I’m not sure if I’m willing to try this though. She said to ask her or Kenji, and I’m NOT asking her. I guess I’ll start talking to my old childhood friend again tomorrow. Ryu sighed before walking into the studio.
After the lesson, Ryu walked passed a studio. A gentle melody floated out from under the door along with a voice. “…Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole…” Ryu silently opened the door and walked in. Celesta sat at the piano playing the hymn “Fill My Cup Lord” lyrics and music by Richard Blanchard. Ryu sat down onto the couch in the studio and listened.
There are millions in the world who are craving,
The pleasures earthly things afford.
But none can match the wondrous treasure,
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.
Fill my Lord, I lift it up Lord.
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more.
Here’s my cup, fill it up and make me whole.
So my brother if the things this world gives you,
Leave hungers that won’t pass away.
My blessed Lord will came and save you,
If you kneel to him and humbly pray.
Ryu leaned thoughtfully against the table and accidently knocked off some books. Celesta whirled around and saw Ryu. “R-ryu! I d-didn’t know y-you were there!” she exclaimed stunned. Ryu quickly picked up the books and stared hard at her. “What is the meaning of this?” he asked puling out the paper. “Um, do want to know why I gave it to you or what the words mean?” Celesta asked nervously feeling very vulnerable under his stern gaze. Ryu sighed and sat on the bench across from her. “The latter.” he said pulling out the paper. Celesta smiled widely. “Oh! Okay, what part are bothering you?” Ryu pointed at the lines that he thought about earlier. “Well, I’m a Christian, a Presbyterian to be exact. I believe that there is an Almighty God that is everywhere at the same time. I know it’s hard to understand, but God is all-knowing while my brain is incompetent compared to Him.” “You’re incompetent.” Ryu asked shocked. “Yes, all of us are. God is very merciful to give us minds instead of letting us burn in hell.” Celesta said. Ryu frowned. This religion is too humbling for me so far. “What about this one.” Ryu said quickly pointed to a different line. “Oh, I really love that line. You see, a few years ago my family had a big money problem. We prayed every day and night for God’s provision, and one day, God gave us the opportunity to pastor a church here as well a good full time job for mymom. We were also around family so that was also a blessing. It just really showed that God really does care even through hard times.” Celesta said smiling. Ryu growled. “Well why hasn’t this “God” of yours helped me? I’ve been suffering for most of my life!” His sudden shouts terrified Celesta.
“Ryu, please calm down. God works in His own time. Just be patient. God is merciful and loving no matter what you say. You’re not His child, Ryu, and you’re looking for earthly happiness not heavenly happiness. Just like the song I sang. Don’t look for the pleasure of earthly things. Please understand that God loves all even those who are his enemies. He sent His only Son to die for those in
the world.” Celesta said gently putting her hand on his arm. Ryu jerked his arm away and slapped her hard making her fall on the floor. “Well, I guess he’s not as holy as I thought. He isn’t being fair.”
Celesta slowly stood up off the hard floor. “He is fair. He just is not equal. That is what you want. You want to be equal with a happiness of others. God isn’t always equal. If he was, then everyone would make the same grades and there would be no valedictorian. Don’t you see that? Ryu, God knows what is best. He sends trials to draw you closer to Him. You’re looking for earthly happiness. God provides heavenly peace and contentment.” She tried to comfort him again but was roughly pushed down. Ryu stood glaring down at her. “If you won’t tell me how to get the happiness and respect that I deserve, then don’t talk to me.” She didn’t look at him but folded her hands and cried out to God in prayer.
“Be merciful to Ryu Lord! Save his soul and bring peace. Show him your love. Forgive him! Have mercy on your servant. Forgive me for not witnessing the way that you have taught. Help me to be wise and gentle.” Ryu stood there stunned. There were footsteps coming up the stairs. He ran out of the room as fast as he legs would carry him. Celesta’s prayer echoed in his head as he ran. Her sorrowful face flashed in his mind. Why? I hurt her. She should’ve yelled or hit me back, but instead she cries out this prayer to her God to forgive me. Why? Why did she ask for forgiveness for herself? She didn’t do anything wrong. I think. He kept running until he reached his room at home.
Panting, he sat down at his desk and began to work.
Over the school year, Ryu finally gives in to Celesta and Kenji’s requests to go and visit their church. After an argument with Yu, her best friend, a few weeks later, Celesta is hit by a truck on the way home. Seeing how calm and even thankful Celesta is in her hospital bed, Yu gets saved. Ryu is also touched by the girl’s testimony so he attends the church more often. In the end, Ryu lays
aside the worries and burdens his family placed upon his shoulders and accepts Christ.
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Here's a completely different story that I wrote. It's part of a bigger story that 5 of my friends and I wrote a few months ago. It's crazy and goofy. This is the second chapter. Basically, every doorway that the girls open is a portal to another world. The only catch is that the room has to have only one doorway for it to work. Right now, Abby is stuff in a world of gummy bears, and no ones knows that she's there. Oh, and Eli isn't a boy. It's short for Elisita, my friend. (Told you it was weird.)
Anne and Eli stumble through the gumdrop covered bushes. They duck behind a large bush as a giant gummy bear marches by, dragging a screaming and thrashing Abby. Anne and Eli glance down at the bush and nod to each other before pelting the gummy bear with gumdrops. Anne sees a candy cane growing nearby and yanks it out of the ground. Swinging it like a scythe, Anne bonks the gummy bear on the head. Abby takes the chance to escape and breaks free. Eli grabs Anne‘s cane and laughs. “WEEEEEE!!!!!” Abby screaming, still high on caffeine. Anne grabs hold of the cane just as Eli takes off after Abby.
“Let go! My cane, my precious!” Eli wails as Anne hangs on for dear life. They reach the door of the cottage just as another gummy bear comes out. Abby just grins and takes a huge bite out of the bear’s sugar sword. The said bear tries desperately to get his half eaten weapon out of her mouth, but Abby just eats the rest of the sword along with the bear’s hand.
“EEEEK!” screams the bear girlishly, running off and bumping into his friend. Eli and Abby are about to go after the bears hungrily, but Anne, now in possession of the cane, knocks them both through the doorway and jumps in herself. A flash brightens the sky, and the cottage is gone.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mr. Fremont and Mr. Sowers walk down the hallway towards Mr. Kappel’s office during lunch. They walk into the main office area and open Mr. Kappel’s door. They had been asked to get something for the principal. “Wonder where the girls are?” Mr. Sowers says, holding the door open.
“Don’t know. It’s weird that a group of friends just disappeared early this morning. Hmmm.” Mr. Fremont says, putting on his thinking face. They both walk through the doorway and are gone in a flash.
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Anne, Abby, and Eli groan and sit up. “Okay, I think I’m calm now.” Eli says, giggling slightly. Abby jumps up.
“I’m sure not!” she yells. Suddenly, the trees are bristling with glistening spears.
“Oh stink it.” Anne mutters under her breath. Slowly, she stands with her hands high above her head. “Um….I’m guessing that “we come in peace.” won’t cut it.” she says, only to get a sack shoved over her head. Abby and Eli suffer the same fate soon afterwards. The last thing that Anne remembers before losing consciousness is that the leader (may be) of the knights begins to speak.
“Come, we must bring these witches to His Majesty, King Arthur.”
“Oh stink it.” Anne thinks. “We’re in Camelot.” Then, she remembers no more.