#writingsample

| Word Count: 2,813 | Context: Azalea Fraizer and Freya Palvin are blood related siblings, children of Khione and Chase Palvin. They were separated at birth as Azalea went to live a happy and joy-filled life, while Freya stayed behind and took the bad half. Both have not had contact with the other, especially when Freya went to Camp Half-Blood and became the minor god Cabin Counselor. But they meet again at camp when the two accidentally decide to go for a little stroll in the strawberry fields at the same time.

| Warnings: Mentions of abuse, cursing, alcoholics/drug addicts, CPS, Bad sibling relationship, bad relationship with all parent figures, a somewhat heated argument, etc. 

The girl had strolled here, a small basket held loosely in her hands. Although she hadn’t been at camp for a while, Azalea Fraizer already decided the strawberry fields were her favorite spot. She sat down in a small section by the rows of plants, opening the basket. Lea began to pick the strawberries, finding the basket filled up rather quickly. She sighed, knowing she wouldn’t eat all of them and it would be sad for them to go to waste. Maybe she could find someone to give them to later, or bake something. Azalea shrugged, closed the basket, and went to go sit in a spot that had less sun.

Freya Palvin had walked down to the fields, a small basket in her arm. Though she would have rather been in the cabin due to the weather, she just needed to get out of there every once in a while. Sure, she had a few friends to keep her company, but she liked doing things more alone. And a lot calmer than what she usually does. Her hat kept her protected from the sun as she examined the ripe strawberries carefully and placed them in the basket. She hadn't noticed anyone around in the fields, which was a good thing for her. She had recently been thinking a lot about her old life recently, before camp, which was an odd thing for her. She hadn't cared much about it, but now it felt like something from her old life was in her presence. It was extremely weird for her, but she refused to tell any of her friends about it. Not even Marcia. Once, she had thought maybe an old friend of hers was somehow in camp, maybe someone like Samantha from primary school. But it was a stupid thought, no one she knew from before would be a demigod.

Freya had walked through a good amount of the fields, and she noticed someone sitting in a shaded spot. Her eyebrows furrowed in, confused. The girl who was sitting seemed to be fine, but she wanted to make sure she was actually okay. She had gotten enough strawberries anyway to make the strawberry shortcake she was planning on making for her and her friends. Carefully, she made her way towards the girl, and she realized something. The lady's hair looked familiar, her skin color, her body shape looked familiar. Her eyes widened as she realized who that was. She stood a few feet away from her, taking a deep breath in, before talking. 

"Azalea?"

Azalea looked up, a hand covering her eyes slightly as she squinted in the sunlight. She had recognized the voice, but seeing the person would be better. She stared at the person’s legs for a while before finally looking up to see their face. Lea’s eyes widened as her guess about who it was was correct. "Freya?" Lea stood up from her spot on the ground, holding the basket much tighter than she had been before. "..Freya?" She repeated again, yet quiet, just to assure herself.

The girl looked down at her, a mix of emotions going through her mind that weren't visible on her face. Was this the reason why her past had been feeling like it was going to come back at any moment? She was confused, but she didn't let her emotions show. She crossed her arms and her eyebrows furrowed in as her smile faded into a frown. For most people, they might have been happy to see their old sibling. For Freya, it was much rather the opposite. She wanted nothing to do with her past life. She didn't want to go back to look at the fact her childhood was shit, her friends were shit, her parents were shit. The girl in front of her was only a reminder of that past, though she wasn't very active in her past life. She examined the girl's features, moving closer so she could see better. To her, she had looked the same as she had done the last time they had met; just older. "Yeah. It's me." She replied bitterly.

She frowned, not knowing what else to say. Maybe just run away from to situation, but that’d make her seem stupid. Azalea’s grip on the basket had gotten even tighter, her knuckles turning white. She tried to look anywhere but Freya’s face. Lea was mentally punching herself as she took a deep breath. "Good to see you again." What the fuck. Her facial expression dropped after what she had just said, assuming Freya’s reaction wouldn’t exactly be a positive one.

Freya still looked down at her with a disappointed look, her expression unchanged. She scoffed, hearing Azalea's reply. She seemed disgusted with her, and that was true. She was disgusted to see her again, she was disgusted that she had the mindset to say that. "Some nerve you got," She smirked to herself, before turning back to her past expression. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I uh.. I’m a demigod?" Her answer came out as a question unintentionally. But with the way Freya had asked, it seemed as if there could have been a different reason as to why she was here. Lea didn’t want to think about it, though. She was nervous enough just by seeing Freya. "Surprise.." Azalea grimaced, chewing on her lower lip. She shuffled a bit to the side, debating on making a run for it.

She noticed her trying to scoot away, and make a small ice shield. "Nice try, cunt. Don't run away and leave." She then leaned in to get closer to her, squinting at her. "How long have you been here." She said it more of a statement, rather than a question. She knew that, because they were both from the same father, they would both have the same godly parent. It angered her inside, due to the fact she had basically lost her entire family, even her mothers, when she was only ten. And now one of her blood related family members was sitting in front of her.

Her eyes widened even more at the ice. She turned back slowly to look at Freya. "Not even a full year."

She noticed her expression, smirking to herself. She raised her eyebrows, still maintaining eye contact with her. "Have you been claimed yet?"

She nodded. "Khione."

She scoffed, though she knew it was coming. She pressed her tongue to her cheek, rolling her eyes. "Of fucking course," She muttered to herself. "I'm your cabin counselor. Congrats."

"Oh. Yaaay.." She looked at Freya, then at the girl who had just walked here. "I’ll be going now I guess." Azalea nodded at Freya, pushing past her.

"No, you aren't." She said, melting the old barrier and creating a new one around her.

She sighed. "What more do you want from me, Freya? Don’t you want me out of your sight?"

"I just... I just wanna talk." She said, moving closer to her. "Am I not allowed to talk to someone who's been out of my life since like, what, when we were kids? You literally moved on and got to live a non problematic life." She said, a tone of jealousy in her voice.

"There isn’t much to talk about." Azalea stared down at her shoes. "A few minutes ago you looked like you wished I never fucking showed up and now you’re trying to talk?" She scoffed. "We could’ve ‘talked’ earlier. Instead you decide to be bitchy and make fucking ice shit around me." She was starting to lose her temper as she felt the basket become progressively colder.

"Not much to talk about?" She raised her eyebrows again, still looking at her as she looked down. "It's true. I wish you never did show up here. You wanna know why? Because you're a reminder about how much of a shit hole my life was before. You know, you probably were living the dream. At school, you probably had a stable friend group to talk to. At home, your dad probably spent time with you. You seem to have a much better life than mine. I don't want to remember anything from my past, but you coming here just shows that I'll always be haunted by it," She rolled her eyes at the girl's exaggeration. "I know you, Azalea. We're sisters, I know that your tactics are similar to mine. I knew you were gonna try and walk away. I'm not stupid. And look, I did talk to you. I want to ask something, though."

"It wasn’t the greatest, actually." She rolled her eyes, her arms folded. "Ask me what? What's it like to live a, as you put it, non problematic life?"

"Oh really? What, was it not just sunshine and rainbows for you?" She looked away for a moment, before looking back at her. "Why didn't you ever try to contact me before?"

"I didn’t think you’d want to hear from me.." Her voice trailed off as she messed around with the hem of her dress.

"You didn't think I wanted to hear from you? Are you insane?" She looked disgusted, but inside she just felt disappointed in herself.

"Maybe I am. But hey, now I’m fucking stuck here. With you."

"Maybe I wouldn't be so annoyed with you if you at least tried to contact me! Maybe this would be better if you actually tried, Azalea," Saying her name felt weird, after not even thinking about it for so long.

"Maybe if I didn’t feel like you would ignore me, I’d try! And if you were so desperate to contact me, you should’ve done it yourself! This is both of our faults, Freya. We both were fucking stupid. But that’s in the past! You need to move on." She sighed, stepping closer to her. "Look, I know your life has been way shittier than mine, and that sticks with you, but you need to move on. It’s not healthy to keep that shit to yourself. And I know we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot, but we can’t stay in the same cabin and hate each other." Lea placed a hand on Freya’s shoulder. "And now, I’m apologizing for never getting in touch with you. I should’ve pushed all those thoughts of you not caring if I did to the side. And I’m sorry for losing my temper like that." Her hand fell off Freya’s shoulder.

"Do you think I wouldn't have? I tried asking dad for your parent's number, but I couldn't even get in contact with him after he got put into rehab! I tried calling half the numbers in New York, I kid you not. I gave up because I knew I couldn't do shit. And even if I did find some way to get in contact with you later, I wasn't even allowed to use my fucking phone or the home phone. My moms would think I would try to call CPS on them whenever I tried to call somebody. And do you think I haven't tried to move on? No one here knows about my past, all they know is the fact I had two moms and one of them taught me how to pickpocket. None of them know about dad, none of them know the reason why I have two moms, no one even knows about you! I have never fucking even mentioned your name to them. I've made a new life for myself here. I've been through hell and back these past few years, ask anyone. Even an Aphrodite kid would be on my side! They know what I've been through here. I try keeping this shit to myself because no one needs to fucking know about my past life! It's like those little letters we wrote in elementary school, we write it and keep it safe for us to read when we graduate. That's exactly it. I've stored it, and I'll open it when I know that time has passed enough for me not to be hurt by it. I can hate you if I want, no one would bat an eye if they saw I didn't like you." She yelled at her, her arms crossed and a cold look on her face. She looked down at the hand on her shoulder, trying to shrug it off. "You should be sorry."

"You know what Freya, I really tried to be mature and mend whatever the fuck we have going, but I guess today wasn’t the day." She moved past Freya. "I’m leaving, and don’t try to fucking stop me." Azalea took off running, throwing the basket of strawberries behind her. Most of the strawberries inside had ice stuck to them now, and so did the basket.

She didn't reply and just watched her run off. She looked at the frozen basket, and just walked away, back to her cabin.

—

The girl walked into her room, slamming the door behind her. She placed the basket of strawberries on the dresser and she looked at herself in the mirror, fixing her hair. She looked down at her hands, which had been shaking like crazy since she saw Azalea. She let out a shaky breath and took a seat on her bed, hugging her knees to her chest. She stared at the wall in front of her that had her old sports jersey hanging on a hanger. Palvin, 16. It was one of the only things she had brought, and it was the only good memory from her school years. But, now just looking at it, she felt a knot build up in her stomach. Her mind wandered to an old memory. She had gotten home from one of her games, it was about eight p.m. and the game had ended at 7:25. She had waited until 7:45 before she had to walk home because it was only then she realized that neither of her parents were going to pick her up. She declined offers of ride homes from two friends, and even the coach because she didn't want them to see her house. When she got to her home, she just looked up at it. It was a fairly tiny wooden home that had graffiti on the side, and multiple broken bottles and unknown drugs all over the front. People would whisper when they see it. Did you see that house? How can someone live there? Was what they said every time. I feel bad, I think that there's a girl from school in there. It would always make her feel like she was an outcast, and she was. She walked inside, and placed her bookbag and her sports bags down. The TV was blaring with some movie on, and she heard yelling from her parents room. The young girl slowly started walking towards the room. She heard crying, and the two talking. She tried walking quietly, but the floorboards creaked. They didn't hear it, and when she got close enough, she placed her ear towards the door to hear the conversation. "Our poor girl," They would sob.She could imagine their faces as they cried, cried, cried. As they talked about sending Freya away, to an orphanage. They thought it would do her some better. Maybe there she could get adopted into a better, richer, and more stable family. She realized that this was the first time that had been fully sober in two years. Even though half of Freya thought it was a great idea for them to send her off, the more sensitive part of her felt like she wasn't loved enough for her own parents to keep her. To make themselves better for her. 

Freya didn't realize she was crying until the tears rolled down her cheek, and she pushed her head into her knees as she let it all out. It was the first time she had cried since she had gone through some of the worst things that had happened to her at camp, which seemed to happen years ago. But she let everything out now, like she would never be able to again. 

His blood pounds in his head, drowning words and thoughts alike---breathless from the force of it, his breaths come staggered and uneven. He stands straight-backed, chin lowered and shoulders thrown. His stomach burns with how it falls, swooping and tumbling yet the fire burns low in his belly and refuses to lend itself into a spitfire assault. Instead, his tongue lies leaden, stuck to the roof of his mouth.

His teeth grind, a low scraping noise from a trembling jaw. His hands sweat and bleed from crescent marks.

She looks at him, tired in a way that makes the heavy ceremonial robes look like they’ve cemented her to her throne. She looks down at him, grey draperies like cobwebs behind her and silver gossamer in the hair that cascades down slender shoulders. Her skin is ebony, smooth like the obsidian floors of the palace.

“Dismissed,” His Queen says, stirring the thick air. He tries to bow and thinks he might fall, collapse onto steep stairs, but the pounding in his head shows him no such mercy.

He leaves. Each step shakes the domed ceilings with their finality.

All he has to show for it is a blue ribbon, from a sister who’d never wear it again. It wasn’t worth what he lost.

When the cold days hit, nothing beats curling up with a mug of hot cocoa in hand. It’s the perfect cozy companion that offers not only warmth and comfort, but also a blend of rich flavors, nostalgia, and a dash of history.

The drink’s ancient roots can be traced back to around 500 BC, when the Mayans first created it. However, their version was a far cry from the sweet, creamy beverage we enjoy today.

The original Mayan hot chocolate was a thick, frothy mixture often flavored with chili peppers and honey, giving it a bold and intense flavor that modern taste buds might find unpleasant.

In fact, it wasn't until the Spanish colonized Central America and introduced sugar to the mix that hot chocolate began to resemble the sweet concoction widely known today.

While we’re grateful for the addition of sugar and milk, there’s still room to add a little creativity to our cocoa. Ready to experiment? Here are 7 ingredients that will turn your hot chocolate into something truly magical.

1. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the most popular spices to elevate this drink, and it’s easy to see why. The warmth and fragrance of cinnamon beautifully complement the richness of chocolate, making the combination a match made in flavor heaven.

Instead of using powdered cinnamon, try simmering a cinnamon stick in your hot chocolate for a deeper, more aromatic flavor. The woody essence of whole cinnamon adds complexity and enhances the overall taste without overpowering the drink.

2. Nutmeg

If you’re not a fan of cinnamon but still want a spiced note in your chocolate concoction, nutmeg is your new best friend. The spice has a slightly sweet, nutty, and earthy flavor that pairs wonderfully with the richness of chocolate.

Whether using freshly grated nutmeg or powdered nutmeg, the spice will bring an extra layer of warmth and comforting touch to your drink, evoking the feeling of cozy winter evenings.

3. Ginger

Sounds odd? Maybe. But adding ginger to your cocoa drink gives it a bold, zesty kick that cuts through the rich, indulgent flavor of the chocolate.

Plus, ginger is a well-known superfood with plenty of health benefits, such as boosting immunity and alleviating cold symptoms, making it the perfect addition during winter or chilly days.

By adding just a small amount (about half a teaspoon) of fresh grated ginger or a pinch of powdered ginger, you not only introduce a spicy twist to your drink, but also transform it into a soothing elixir.

4. Cayenne or Chipotle Pepper

If you’re feeling adventurous, add a touch of heat with cayenne or chipotle pepper. This spicy addition harks back to the original Mayan hot cocoa, which was often made with chili peppers.

The key is moderation—a pinch of cayenne or chipotle pepper will add a delightful warmth and depth without overwhelming the drink. For an even smokier flavor, opt for chipotle pepper.

5. Coarse Sea Salt

Though it may sound counterintuitive, adding a pinch of coarse sea salt to your hot chocolate can actually enhance its sweetness and highlight its deep, complex notes.

Salt helps balance the flavors, making the drink richer and more well-rounded. However, that doesn’t mean the more, the merrier. So be careful not to overdo it—just a small pinch of sea salt will do the trick.

6. Peppermint

While it may spark some debate, many would agree that peppermint and chocolate are a heavenly combination.

The refreshing sharpness of peppermint perfectly balances the rich, velvety flavor of cocoa, transforming it into a festive treat ideal for the holiday season.

You can get creative by using a candy cane as a stirrer, crushing peppermint candies on top, or simply adding a few drops of peppermint extract for that cool, minty kick.

The result is a winter-ready version of your favorite mint chocolate chip ice cream served in a warm, comforting mug.

7. Chai

Why choose between two cozy drinks when you can have both? Combining hot chocolate with chai (masala chai) is a power move to create the ultimate comfort drink.

Chai, a spiced tea made from black tea, ginger, and a mix of aromatic spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves, adds a spicy and exotic twist to your cocoa.

To make it, brew a cup of chai, then stir in hot chocolate mix or melted chocolate. This blend of flavors creates a velvety, spiced drink that’s perfect for warming up on chilly days.

Crave for something quick yet still delicious? Grab your leftover rice and level up your meals with these tasty fried rice ideas!

Fried rice is a rather quick and versatile dish that you can serve for any occasion—whether it's a hurried breakfast, simple lunch for a picnic, or even a formal family gathering.

With that in mind, you can easily turn your day-old rice into anything you want. From a simple, beginner-friendly recipe that’s not too indulgent to a luxurious dish for formal events, you’ll have no problem finding ideas with these 5 recipes.

Making perfect fried rice can be a little tricky, so here are some tips: make sure to not overdo the liquid seasonings like soy, oyster, or fish sauce as it can make the rice wet and lumpy.

Also, don’t forget to use high heat while cooking and make sure your wok is hot enough before adding the ingredients. It will bring out the aroma and make the grains individually separated—like how fried rice is supposed to be!

Now, let’s get started on the list!

1.    Golden Egg Fried Rice

Egg fried rice is undeniably the perfect way to go if you’re short in time and ingredients. This is also the easiest, and in other words, beginner-friendly.

To take this crazy simple, light-flavored recipe to a whole new level, here’s the trick: mix the rice with egg yolks first. It gives your fried rice extra fragrance and the beautiful golden hue.

You can also add sausage or any kind of meat for more protein, or corn and carrot for extra crunch while still making it vegetarian-friendly.

Recipe

2.    Seafood Fried Rice

Fried rice is rather simple, but adding in sumptuous goodies like shrimps, scallops, and calamari can turn it into a deluxe dish that’s perfect for formal family dinner or even a beach wedding party.

With a combination of oyster sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, and sweet soy sauce, this one is a real deal. It’s so rich and luscious and so ready to spoil your taste buds until the very last bite.

To round out the flavors and fragrance, top it with margarine before serving. Stir thoroughly while the fire is already off, and you’re good to go.

Recipe

3.    Hong Kong Fried Rice

Have you ever tried chayote in fried rice? That may sound strange, but I promise, the taste is as amazing as you can ever imagine.

With an abundant amount of toppings from chicken breast and sausage to carrot, corn, and chayote, Hong Kong fried rice isn’t only rich in flavors, but also bursts in various types of nutrients that are good for both your health and palate.

Another nice thing, this fried rice is so delish that you can trick your kids into eating more veggies. I won’t be surprised if they ask for seconds.

This one is personally my all-time favorite. It may be the one which requires the most ingredients on this list, but I can guarantee that the result is totally worth it.

Recipe

4.    Kimchi Fried Rice

With only a few ingredients, get ready to bring the taste of South Korea to your dining table in less than 15 minutes.

This is perfect for you who can’t stand the taste of plain kimchi but still want to give it a try. The sourness and freshness of the fermented veggies will give an extra layer of flavor to your meal.

Usually served with high protein food like luncheon, grilled beef, or sunny side up by South Koreans, this dish can also be enjoyed on its own and still tastes amazing.

Recipe

5.    Cheese Fried Rice

We all know cheese is versatile and goes well with almost everything, and fried rice is no exception.

If you’re in the mood for something light and cheesy, try this unique combination.

The diced cheddar cheese gives enough savory taste, hence this recipe doesn’t call for much seasonings. Just a little bit of salt, pepper, and chicken stock powder will do.

The light flavor also makes this dish open for any toppings. From sausage and luncheon to carrot and green onion, finish it up with anything you want.

Want it to be a little spicy? Add some chopped bird’s eye chili. I’ve tried it before, and they complemented each other really well.

News Article: University of Toronto Students blame University for their mental health issues

Disclaimer: THIS IS FAKE NEWS. IT IS A WRITING SAMPLE. tripadvisor.co.nz “I’ve had to be put on antidepressants in order to cope with the stress U of T puts on its students,” says an anonymous Forensics major in her fourth year.  On Friday, February 18th, around 3pm, first responders were called to the University of Toronto Mississauga. A number of students had collapsed at the Library. The…

It was only 5:00, but the darkness visible through the window of the tiny hunting shack made it feel like night. The storm building outside, however, had nothing on the one building inside Amity’s heart. She had worked so hard these past few weeks to keep everything bottled in: the betrayal she still felt too keenly, the anger at being treated like a foolish child, and the overwhelming frustration of being supervised by someone she couldn’t stand. She was the most powerful sorcerer of her time; she was Amity fucking Grace! And she was done being jerked around. She’d show them what she was capable of, she’d show them all -starting with the pointy-eared know-it-all who was calmly staring out the window, hands clasped lightly behind her back, as if being trapped in this goddamned shack by the magical storm of the century was merely curious. As though she could sense Amity’s building rage, Corwin turned around to face her. “You’re glowing,” she said calmly. She said everything calmly. Sometimes Amity wondered if it was possible to make the elven woman display an honest emotion. It was time to find out.

“I’m glowing because I’m angry, Cor. Maybe that’s an emotion you’re not familiar with.” She spit the words out of her mouth, as sharp and biting as she could make them. “I’m glowing because I’m ready to burn this fucking shack down around us until there’s nothing left out here but blackened earth.”

“If the shack was gone, we’d probably get quite wet in the rain that’s coming” Corwin pointed out.