characters – The Mint Girl Blog

The Spanaritar

This is a short story that I wrote for the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition! It won an honorable mention.

It had been a nice, normal, spring day. Before the man, before his daughter, before…well. It started with cherry blossoms. They were the first thing Aryan noticed as he headed outside, his plan to relax, to take a break. The pink flowers littered the pavement and as Aryan passed the movie theater, the smell of popcorn wafted through the open doors. All around, kids were laughing, couples were talking, and, well, everyone seemed joyful. As Aryan scanned the crowd, a pleasant smile lit up his face. It really was what some would call a perfect day.
As he continued to observe the sights, setting a leisurely pace, he startled at the sight of someone unhappy. A middle-aged man was sitting on a bench, his face buried in his palms. Something drew Aryan to the man, something that he couldn’t quite explain, but couldn’t quite ignore either. Aryan laid his hand on the man’s shoulder, startling him. The man looked up, alarmed, his teary gaze meeting Aryan’s calm, steady one.
“Hey. What’s wrong? Well, obviously, I’m a stranger, but…if you have anything that’s troubling you…you can tell me”.
The man tried in vain to smile, “That’s-that’s nice of you, thanks. I-, well, I guess I sound stupid, but um. My daughter- she, she’s going to kill me, I swear”
Aryan furrowed his brow, “Um, well. I’m sure it’s not that bad, but you can stay with me for now? If you prefer?”
The man shook his head frantically, “No. I must get back to her, I must! I can’t, I have to see her again!” As much as Aryan was put off by the situation, he couldn’t help but pity the man. He must have been having some family problems, maybe a fight had broken out between the two and his daughter had gotten terrifyingly vicious. Though I don’t understand why he’d exaggerate so much…
Aryan sighed, “Fine. But promise me you’ll let me walk back with you. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
The man’s face collapsed in a relieved grin, “Yes. Yes, thank you so, so much. I’d appreciate that. Just…stay back, ok? If…if it happens again, you should stay safe.”
No matter Aryan’s wariness, he nodded, following the man closely.

Aryan and the man walked together in relative silence, the man occasionally glancing over as if to make sure Aryan didn’t disappear completely. Aryan surveyed the apartment complex they walked up to, satisfied when he saw nothing wrong.
He turned to smile at the man, “There. Is your daught-”. He stopped suddenly, surveying the man’s withdrawn expression, the fear returned to his eyes, “What’s wrong?”
“She-she’s there. Don’t you see her?” He raised a finger, slowly pointing at a figure in the window. Aryan’s eyes narrowed, watching her closely. On first glance, she had blended in with her surroundings- her matted black hair and rumpled clothes matching the darkness of the room behind her.

As Aryan continued to pay attention, the figure turned around, an almost evil gleam in her eye and a manic smile making its way up those red-lined lips. He found himself backing away subconsciously, his overwhelming selfishness and greed to live overpowering his desire to help the man. Even as his legs trembled, he couldn’t look away, eyes locked onto the girl in the window.
She lifted an instrument to her lips, then began to play. Aryan watched in horror as the man seemed to collapse onto himself, clutching his head desperately. As he gazed upon the man’s obvious turmoil, terror bleached his brain.
The instrument….it couldn’t be? Unless… it was what he thought it was. But there’s no way- she shouldn’t have one of those…
If it really was what he thought…well, they were all screwed. It was a device of legends, an instrument said to control the listener, to force them to listen to its twisted tunes, burrowing its way into their brain, until…well, until they were gone.
The last Aryan saw of the man was him getting dragged into the building by some kind of force, his eyes dark and tornmented, his lips barely pushing out the words, “No- please. The Spanaritar, please. Save me.”

I hope you enjoyed!

Kyoho: A short story

Here’s a short story I wrote based on the song “Lost Umbrella” by Inabakumori!

Mayumi held her hands over her head, a makeshift umbrella, as she bobbed and weaved through the throngs of shoppers, her gaze solely on the small black cat in front of her- Kyoho, as she had dubbed it. The cat glanced back, as if to check she was still following, then plodded on determinedly. Mayumi’s breath caught as Kyoho disappeared from her gaze, eyes narrowing as she searched the crowd, before it reappeared, letting out a plaintive mewl. Mayumi exhaled, relieved, increasing her speed.

Kyoho had appeared right when she had lost her umbrella, the wind sweeping away the bright yellow parasol. Mayumi had stared after it despondently, hand reaching out in a futile attempt to grab it. It had been yet another unlucky event on top of a slew of bad days. Just when she was about to step into the protection of an awning and wonder if she should just go home, the sensation of something winding between her legs caught her attention. She had looked down, startled, to see Kyoho, the small creature looking up at her innocently. As she bent to scoop it up, it had taken off, with the occasional backwards glance to see if she was following.

She was. She didn’t know why she was, but she trusted the cat. Call it a soft spot, call it idiocy…but still. Kyoho seemed like a friend. A feline friend who couldn’t quite talk, sure, but a friend all the same.

Kyoho rounded a corner, and Mayumi, nearly out of breath, did the same moments later- only to come face to face with the umbrella, tangled in the branches of a tree. Mayumi sucked in a breath, staring wonderously at the cat, back to winding around her feet. She cautiously made her way over to the tree, reaching up on her tiptoes to try and nudge it back to the ground. It fluttered down, along with a few ginkgo leaves, a young, bright green, hopeful, determined. As if to symbolize that it wasn’t all lost. That there was still hope. Mayumi picked up the umbrella, turning to thank Kyoho, to express some form of gratitude to the cat, but when she turned back…it was gone. Vanished into the sea of people, off to perhaps save another lost soul.

Mayumi took a deep breath, hefted the umbrella back over her shoulder, and set back off on her journey.

I hope you enjoyed!

Top Books of February

This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff
I read this book for school and it was really interesting! Tobias, or Jack, has followed his mother to Utah, hoping for a new life. However, wherever they turn, misfortune follows them, as Jack learns who he is and what he truly wants in life. It was a really interesting book!
One Thousand and One Nights by Hanan al-Shaykh
This was a retelling of the story of Scheherazade, who told stories to a cruel king so that she wouldn’t die. I really loved the way the stories were written, each individual story a part of something bigger. It was beautiful to read and I definitely recommend it to you!
Tales of India: Folktales from Bengal, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu by Svabhu Kohli and Viplov Singh
This book contained folktales from India, as well as the most gorgeous illustrations! I really enjoyed the way the stories were told in simple terms with Indian vocabulary. It was really enjoyable to read and learn about all these folktales!
An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson

Lennon’s life, once ruined, was saved by the Drayton College. The college specializes in “persuasion” and Lennon is one of the most gifted students. But the corruption that lurks around the school is terrifying, ad well as its past. I really enjoyed this book and its plot!

Where I’m From- Holden Caulfield

Recently, for my English class, we wrote a poem based on “Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon and based on Holden Caulfield, the main character of “Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger. I hope you enjoy my poem!

I am from boarding schools
from cigarette smoke and rain
I am from fencing competitions
(loud, angry,
everyone’s disappointment as sharp as the swords)
I am from the vastness of DB’s room compared to the smallness of Phoebe’s
the unable-to-be-placed smell of home
whose indecisiveness I remember
as if I was standing there right now

I’m from phony steak and odd hats
from Allie and Phoebe
I’m the not-good-enoughs and the geniuses-of-our-time
from try harder and life is a game
I’m from Grace be with you all
with friends that make you feel warm and fuzzy
and essays about your brother’s baseball glove

I’m from touchy fathers and nervous mothers
malted milk and a swiss cheese sandwich.
From the cancer that spread through my brother’s small body,
the words and phrases that are piled onto my sister’s pages.
At the back of my brain lie my memories
hidden from both the world and myself
a handful of stars
whose light has been forced to dull.
I am from those shattered shards of time
broken before I was even born
distancing myself from the person I was and the person I am meant to be.

Top Books of December

Here are my top reads of December!

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
This was such an interesting and well-written book! Blue has been told from her first days that if she kisses her true love, he will die. So, she’s made a point to stay away from all boys. But when her path collide with the “Raven Boys”, a group of boys who go to the private school nearby, she finds herself drawn into their improbable plan. I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
Cats of the World by Hannah Shaw
This was an incredibly cute book with pictures of cats from all over the world! Cats and their lifestyles from countries worldwide are detailed, with an important message intertwined throughout the book. It’s beautiful and really shows the resilience of cats as they thrive in lands you’d have never thought they’d live in. I really loved reading this book and looking at the beautiful pictures!
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
This was an interesting short story about what it means to feel trapped. Gregor is a traveling salesman, the breadwinner for his family, when one day, he wakes up as a giant cockroach. He soon becomes a burden, something others, even his own family, are scared of. It was an incredible read and enthralled me from start to finish.
Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
This was a creepy and exciting read from start to finish! Ines wants to start a new life at Catherine House- that’s how it works for everyone, after all. But everyday turns out to be the same…until she gets a visit from the headmistress. Ever since then, her life turned upside down, new and strange happenings changing her perception of this school. It’s a really interesting book!

Top Books of January
Top Books of February
Top Books of March
Top Books of April
Top Books of May
Top Books of June
Top Books of July
Top Books of August + September
Top Books of October
Top Books of November

Top Books of November

Here are my top reads for November!

This is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
This was such a beautiful and well-written book! Red and Blue are on opposite sides of the “Time War”. But when they start leaving notes for each other, something changes. The prose was beautiful in this book and I absolutely loved the story and its ending. I totally recommend this book to you!
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
This was such a good book! Monty has one last summer with his best friend and his sister before all three of them are forced into futures they don’t want. He’s determined to make the most of it, but that’s derailed when he steals something he shouldn’t have and bandits chase after him. This was such a beautiful book and I loved the character growth!
The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
This was such a well-written book! Yamilet is at a new school and that means a new start for her and her brother. But as struggles build up at home, she feels hopeless, finding solace only in a friend named Bo. I really enjoyed this story and it was great to read!
Liar’s Beach by Katie Cotugno
This is a really cool book, inspired by Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles. I loved the story and the mystery, as well as all the different characters and side plots we got to see. It was a really interesting read and I can’t wait to read the second book!

Psychological Profile for Holden Caulfield

Recently, for my English class, we had to create a “psychological profile” for Holden Caulfield, a character from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. We had a series of questions to answer about his character and were instructed to write it in the style of a profile.

I) The subject’s name is Holden Caulfield. Caulfield is currently 17 years old.

II) Caulfield lives in an unspecified location relatively near Hollywood and his brother. He does not speak of his living conditions much, but his tone indicated a less than satisfactory home.

III) Caulfield has two siblings, one older and one younger, as well as a younger sibling who has passed. Caulfield is known for his aggressive outbursts as well as his tendency to lie.

IV) Caulfield’s symptoms of grief include a longing for his lost brother, a bitterness over his loss (note: subject’s bitterness seems to have mostly faded, though was clearly active at time of death), a lack of trust in others, as well as a withdrawal from social activities. Caulfield’s signs of PTSD include negative and pessimistic thoughts about the world, a detachment from friends and family, being on guard for danger, smoking, aggressive outbursts, and trouble sleeping.
Additionally, Caulfield shows signs of anxiety, namely irritability and nervousness. Finally, Caulfield shows signs of depression, including a loss of pleasure in usual activities, a cynical view of the world, an extreme sensitivity to failure, restlessness, and social isolation.

Have you read the Catcher in the Rye?

Imaginary Friend: A Poem

I wrote a poem for the prompt ‘Imaginary Friend’. I hope you enjoy!

they want me to hate you
they want me to be rid
they want me to not love you
anymore

i could never hate you
i could never lose you
i will always love you
for evermore

but they want me to hate you
they tell me to be rid
they force me to not love you
anymore

i tell them i can’t hate you
i promise them i’d never lose you
and i swear i will always love you
for evermore

Did you have an imaginary friend growing up?

Maybe In Another Life

I recently saw a writing prompt which was, “Write a story that includes the phrase “Maybe in another life.””. Here’s what I wrote! I hope you enjoy!

A pink umbrella. It was unusual, to say the least. But Elion couldn’t help but follow it, silently tracing its pattern through the rain, watching as it bobbed and weaved its way over to the small alley where Elion was working. She held her breath, hand pausing over the canvas which was just beginning to be drawn on.
“It’s raining.” The owner of the umbrella’s voice was playful, though its melodious lilt wasn’t lost on Elion.
“Yeah. I’m not an idiot.” Elion was sharp in her retaliation, though she couldn’t help but feel strangely…captivated by this stranger- with her pink hair that matched her umbrella and by her hat with its small, but bright pawprint.
The stranger laughed brightly, “Didn’t think you were. Do you not have an umbrella?”
There wasn’t much Elion could say in response. She shook her head, turning back to the painting, studying in it the faint glow of the streetlamps. “No. I like the rain”.
The stranger cocked her head, though her voice was as bright as ever, “You’ll ruin your outfit. And your painting,” She held out the umbrella, an almost dare in her eyes, the water droplets catching the light- and Elion’s eyes- as they fell off the umbrella, “Here. Take it”
Elion furrowed her brow, “…What about you? You’ll be the one ruining your outfit, then.”
The stranger just winked at Elion, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine.”
And with that she was gone. Had turned and walked away, ignoring Elion’s protests of “Wait! I don’t…”
Elion trailed off in frustration, her hand wrapped tightly around the umbrella. She studied it, a small smile on her face. It was pretty. And…and quite thoughtful.
Her thoughts turned back to the pink-haired stranger. How confident she was. How playful. Picking up her canvas, she tucked it back into her bag, thinking to herself as she got up. Maybe…maybe in another life, things would’ve been different. Maybe they could’ve gotten to know each other more. Maybe the only remnant Elion had of her wouldn’t have been the umbrella.
Maybe.

Category: characters