A.

The Meaning of Secrets

As soon as I saw the rest of the group at the airport, I realised that I had made a dreadful mistake. I
didn’t really have many options considering the situation in which I was. All I could do was either
go to them and tell the thruth, or I could try to hide. Obviuosly, I chose to run away.
It was March, spring was already at the door and, with this season, everyone was excited to do
new things, to see new places, more exactly to travel. For the past month, my friends started
planning a trip to Europe, taking care of all the details. I, too, helped them and was looking forward
to go on this trip. Afterall, it was quite a nice activity to do and we could have a really good time
together.
Time was passing by and as the trip was getting closer and closer we were more and more
prepared for it. But then a problem arose. A week before the excursion I got a message. I actually
won a ticket to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world. In January I
had applied to a contest that was offering a free trip to Monterey Bay, it’s purpose was that of rising
people’s awareness regarding the ocean and it’s beauty. The chances of me winning weren’t too
high, but they weren’t too small either as this contest was supposed to have more winners. I had
completely forgotten about it and now, the chance that I was hoping for finally arrived, only to catch
me off guard and with another trip planned.
There wasn’t any solution that could be found so that I wouldn’t have to cancel one of the trips. I
thought it over and came to the conclusion that no matter how nice the excursion with my friends
was going to be, there wasn’t going to be another chance like this for me, to be able to go to one of
the largest aquariums in the world. In that moment I knew I could just explain everything to my
friends. I was sure they could understand. But I also knew that a part of them will never look at me
the same, their trust in me would be broken, and I didn’t want that. So now I had to come up with
an excuse.
After lying to them by telling that something came up with one of my family members and that I
can no longer go with them, I started preparing for my trip. I was feeling guilty and foolish at the
same time. I complicated my own life with this, but there was no turning back now.
On the day of the trip I went to the airport. I knew that today my friends will also be going in their
trip, but their plane was going to take off later, or so I thought. Half an hour later I saw them, a few
feet away from me. And that’s how I came to this present moment in which I try to hide from my
friends.
As I was searching for a way to hide, I suddenly saw a friendly bear right in front of me. Of
course, it was just a man dressed in a costume, advertising some products. Finding my rescue in
him, I went straight ahead and asked him, quite desperately, if I could borrow his „head” for a
moment. All he did was look at me confused for a few seconds, then handed me the head of the
costume without any questions. Not long after, my friends passed by, not even noticing me.
Soon after that, I handed back the bear head and was thanking endlessly the person who helped
me. To be honest, it would have been a lot more easier if I hadn’t lied. But that „easier” decision
wasn’t the best. Afterall, secrets are important, for sometimes, what seems to be okay from the
outside, might really hurt a person on the inside.
 B. Lucky Me
We all know about „Tom & Jerry”, the cat and the mouse. But this story is based in an universe in
which Tom is a secretary and Jerry, his assistant. And they are both humans. However, things didn’t
really change too much. Jerry is constantly creating problems to Tom, always trying to slack off and
run away from his responsabilities. Of course, every single thing reflects on Tom. He’s the one
that’s being scolded by the boss.
Working in this kind of environment, our „cat” is sure to get tired and exhausted. And so it
happens that one day, Tom decides to go on a vacation, far away from all the stress. He takes a leave
from work and starts packing up for his trip to Rome.
It’s summer, outside is hot and sunny, and even though the temperature is a little too high,
everyone is having a good time. Tom has already landed off at the airport and he doesn’t really have
a lot of baggages with him. Afterall, he only has 3 days off. But he’ll make sure to enjoy them.
He easily founds a taxi to take him to the hotel and, without any worries, he starts to have a small
talk with the driver. Unfortunately, Tom doesn’t observe that the car doesn’t really look like a taxi,
the only thing that suggests it’s purpose is a little sign that’s been attached on the hood. Otherwise,
there’s no counter, nothing. Also, as soon as the car started moving, another one has been tailing it.
And so it happens that Tom doesn’t observe anything suspicious.
Arriving at the destination, Tom pays the driver and goes into the hotel. He get’s the key of his
room and goes calmly to let his baggage inside. After that, he decides to go outside and look around
a little, taking with him only his phone, the key of the hotel room and some money. On his way out
he bumbs into someone, the person apologises and Tom goes on without a care in the world.
After walking around for half an hour, he thinks it might be better to go back inside because he
still didn’t recover from the flight. Right then, someone calls him. It’s Jerry.
Yes? I was hoping that at least now I could have some peace, you know?
Ah, hello! Yes, yes. I won’t bother you for too long. I just founded out that you are actually on a
vacation and I was thinking...
What?
Could you, perhaps, buy me some souvenirs? Please...
Look, I didn’t come here to buy you souvenirs-
I’ll pay for them.
Ha... fine, then. But you better remember what you said.
And with that, the call ended. Now Tom had to buy souvenirs. Of course, he could go and take
them later, but he might as well go now.
An hour later, Tom finally returns to the hotel, carrying with his some souvenirs for Jerry. As he
reaches his room, he starts searching for the key, but it’s nowhere to be found. He then goes to the
receptionist and explains the situation, getting a new key in replacement of the one he lost. Going,
again, back to his room, only to find out that he has been robbed.
 The hotel called the police. After being asked a few questions, Tom is watching together with the
hotel manager and the police the security cameras. Turns out that the thief was actually the „taxi
driver”. Also, Tom realises that if it wasn’t for Jerry and his souvenirs, he might have come back to
his room right when the theft was happening. And who knows what might’ve happened to him.
For once, the „mouse” was helpful. „Well,” Tom thought to himself, „I may have lost all my
belongings, but at least I’m in one piece.”