Nikki Menig

Oct/5/16
Creative Writing 3rd
Face to Face
Kari went through her day with only one thing on her mind, how was she going to tell
Ms. Kim that she can not play soccer anymore? To make it worse, she had to do it alone; no
mom or dad to say the right thing. Not even a friend for just moral support. It was up to her and
her alone, and that's what frightened Kari. However, it's Ms. Kims reaction that terrifies her the
most. She didn't want Ms. Kim to hate her or think badly of her. These kinds of thoughts have
been going through her head since she woke up.
Stop obsessing, okay? Everything will be fine. Now, help me with Chemistry. Azusa
wanted to distract Kari from her anxious thoughts. You should be doing it with me, it's due
tomorrow morning you know. I'm not worried about tomorrow; I'm concerned about after
school today. It was study hall, and the teacher didn't care what you did as long as you didnt
raise your voice. So Kari had all the time in the world to dwell on her thoughts. Im not
obsessing; Im just thinking of the possibilities. What if she thinks I'm rude? Shes a soccer
coach; I'm sure you are not the first person to tell her you can't play. Plus, you know you don't
owe her anything, Zoya said without looking up from her homework; she hadn't said anything
in this whole time; Kari believed she was not listening to the conversation. Yeah I know, but
this is hard. The season just started, and I told her I would be able to play this season. Now I
have to say to her face that I can't. Come on, doesn't that seem a little rude to you guys? Kari
was sweating just thinking about the possibilities of how the scene could play out.

But you're not quitting just to quit; you are quitting because you want to focus your time
on something else. Im sure shell understand; I bet you're not the first one shes had to talk to
about quitting either. Azusa was trying to be helpful, but she was running out of things to say
that would reassure Kari. That's true, but this all just seems so difficult. I don't even know where
to start when I begin to talk to her. Kari laid her head on top of her desk and let out a big sigh.
Ugh, I wish I could just send her an email and be done with it. Zoya, still not looking up from
her paper said: Well, you could, but I think talking face to face is more appropriate; especially
since were approaching adulthood. Azusa agreed with her, and so did Kari, but she still did not
like the fact that she had to do it face to face. You're right, but it's still hard you guys; I'm not
good at this type of stuff, Kari murmured, head still resting on her desk.
All three were quiet for a moment until Azusa said, Listen, Kari, I know this is hard, and
yes it does suck; but you are doing this for you. You have a dream of becoming a pianist, and to
do that you need to practice playing the piano. You can't do that if you're playing soccer every
day of every week. Sometimes you have to make choices that leave you in a tight spot, but in the
end, you still have to make that decision. Azusa gave Kari a smile, and Zoya gave her a small
nod; agreeing with what Azusa said. Kari smiled back at them, but she still felt uneasy; she still
was thinking about all the ways this could go horribly wrong. Before they could say another
word, the bell rang, and students started to rush out of the room. The three girls said goodbye to
one another; Zoya had AP Calc, Azura gym, and Kari English.
Kari tries to, but can barely pay attention to what is going on in class, her mind on what
Azusa said earlier. Maybe she was overthinking the whole situation, but she was still nervous
and uneasy about it. She looked up at the clock hanging in the corner of the room; she still has
three more classes to get through before the end of school. Which helped her relax a little, but

there was still the twist in her stomach whenever she thought about it. The bell rings and Kari
head to her next class, Sculpting. She sits at her table, puts on her headphones, and starts
working on her sculpture. She had hoped the music would have blocked her thoughts out and it
did until the period ended, and the twist in her stomach came rushing back. Only this time, it felt
like someone just sucker-punched her. One class left, after that was soccer, with Ms. Kim.
Crap, Kari thought, as she made her way to the last class of the day; Spanish I. Kari had
Spanish class with Zoya, she could talk more about her situation with her.
When she got to class Zoya was already at her desk, distracted by the homework she was
working on for one of her other classes.Hey Kari said as she slid into the desk next to her,
How is your day so far? She didn't want just suddenly to start talking about herself; she had to
ease that in later, plus it would just annoy Zoya. She can't stand it when people just start talking
about themselves, but who doesn't? It's alright, a lot of homework, but nothing I can't handle
she looked up from her paper How about you, still dwelling on your talk with Ms. Kim? Of
course, don't you know who I am? Kari said with a smile. Zoya let out a small chuckle You are
something else Kari, you know that? Yeah, but it is bothering me. You'll be all right, what's
the worst that could happen? Before Kari could answer, the bell rang, and the teacher started the
lesson.
Then the wretched sound came; the sound Kari had been dreading since the beginning of
the day, the final bell. Everyone was scrambling to rush out of the room, but Kari took her time.
She had to take things slow, to keep herself from freaking out. I can do this; I can do this Kari
tells herself as she walks down the hallway towards her locker. She is trying to be her moral
support, her own motivator, but it's not necessarily helping. She still feels nervous; the knots in

her stomach were becoming more and more twisted with each step. Once she got to her locker,
she collects her things and heads toward the soccer field.
Kari stopped at the front of the doors that led out to the fields. Not many of the girls are
out on the field yet, which is a good thing, Kari thought, she didn't want an audience while
talking to Ms. Kim. She could see Ms. Kim; she was setting up cones and emptying a bag of
soccer balls. Maybe this was a bad idea, maybe I should have done practice and then talk to her
after. she thought to herself. It was too late, even if she decided to get dressed, it would take her
too long; shed get to the field way later than the other girls. No, this is easier, almost no one is
around, and practicing now would be a waste of time. Kari took a deep breath, pushed the doors
open, and made her way towards Ms. Kim.
Oh Hey, Kari! How come you aren't dressed? Are you sick? Ms. Kim asked caringly.
No no Im fine, I wanted to talk to you about something. Kari tried to keep her voice under
control, but she was pretty sure it was trembling, her nerves were getting the best of her. Sure,
what is it? Here it goes, I don't think Ill be able to play soccer this season. It takes up too
much of my time, and I want to focus more on my piano skills. Ms. Kim was quiet for a
moment, and it made Kari think she was in it for the worst. Instead, Ms. Kim looked at her with
kind eyes and a smile Well Im sad to hear you won't be able to continue playing soccer, but I
completely understand. You have to do what makes you happy, so I hope you do well and have
fun with your piano skills. Kari looked at her, a little surprised by her response. Oh, thank
you. Im sorry about all this Ms. Kim shook her head No, no don't be! Like I said, you have to
do what makes you happy, not others. Kari let out a light chuckle Yeah, I guess you're right.

There was a little bit of an awkward silence until Ms. Kim started to ask Kari about the
piano and they talked for several minutes. Well, I better get going, I have a piano lesson in half
an hour, Kari said Yeah, and I have to start practice soon. I hope you have a lovely
day, and I hope you are piano lessons pay off. Ms. Kim added. Kari looked at her and tried to
give her best smile Thank you for being so understanding No problem! I hope to see you at
some of our games Of course, I will come whenever I can. With that, Kari waved goodbye
and started to walk back to the school. She felt relieved, and couldn't believe she spent all that
time worrying about a moment that lasted for only twenty minutes. I guess talking face to face
is easier than I made it out to be. With that, Kari got her things and walked towards her car,
ready to go to her piano lesson.

Creative Writing - Narrative Grading Rubric

Name _____________________

Materials

Element:
Narrative

Content:
Originality
Organizatio
n:
Introductio
n
Organizatio
n:
Conclusion
Organizatio
n:
Transitions
Organizatio
n:
Specific
Details/
Examples
Style:
Word
Choice

Student is
missing more
than one
element of
the
assignment.
The writer
has made
some attempt
to tell a story,
which is
unclear.
The writer
has not been
original.

The writer
has not used a
hook

The writer
has not used a
conclusion.
The story just
ends.
The writer
has not used
transitions.

Examples are
vague or not
present.

The writer
has used
inappropriate
or unclear
vocabulary.

Student is
missing only one
element of the
total
assignment.

The writer
has
attempted a
story, but it
may not be
entirely
clear.
The writers
ideas are
forced or
very cursory.

The writer has

told a story
following plot
format, but no
change is
apparent

The writer tells

a story with a
dynamic
character and a
dynamic plot.

The writers
ideas are simple
and/or show
little depth.

The writer
has not
clearly
divided the
introduction
The writer
has not
clearly
divided the
conclusion.
The essay
has simply
used choppy,
basic
transitions.
The writer
has few
details to
support the
points
asserted in
the essay.

The writer has

attempted a
hook that is
very basic.

The writers
ideas are clear
and original while
lacking some
depth.
The writer has
attempted a
hook that is
somewhat
ineffective.
The writer has
attempted a
conclusion that is
somewhat
ineffective.
The writer uses
basic transitions
in all necessary
locations.

The writer
has used only
simple
language
throughout
the essay and

The writer has

used a weak
variety of words
and/or misused
several words
detracting from

The writer has

attempted a
conclusion that
is very basic.
The essay lacks
smooth
transitions in
some locations.
The writer has
referenced
examples
through
summary alone.

The writer uses

specific details
and examples
while not fully
supporting
points, and may
be lacking
sufficient
support.
The writer has
used a strong
variety of words
but has misused
more than one
word interfering

5
Student has a
completed Final
Draft, all revised
drafts, and
prewriting
activities
completely.
The writer has
clearly shown how
a main character
has transitioned
in some manner.

The writers ideas

are sincere,
honest, and
original.
The writer leads
with an effective
introduction

The writer ends

with a profound
conclusion

The writer uses

skillful
transitions
between ideas
and paragraphs.
The writer uses
ample specific,
clear details and
examples to
support his or her
points.

The writer uses

skillful and
appropriate word
choice and an
interesting
vocabulary which

Style:
Sentence
Variety

Conventions

The essay is
choppy and
uses only
standard
structures.

Grammatical
rules have not
been followed.

may have
misused many
words.
The writer
has relied
solely on
basic
sentence
structures
below that of
a collegelevel.
The writer
has made
many major
errors making
it difficult to
read.

Total Points ____/50

the essay.

The writer has

relied on one or
two structures,
detracting from
the voice of the
essay.

The writer has

made many
errors in
grammar
throughout the
essay.

with the
efficiency of the
essay.
The writer has
used a variety of
sentence
structures, but
has repeated one
structure too
much.

helps clarify his

or her ideas.

The writer has

some minor
errors in
grammar and
usage.

The writer has

clearly used
language skillfully
with few to no
errors in
grammar/usage.

The writer shows

skill in using a
variety of
sentence
structures which
add to the voice
of the paper.