Owen: And what do you sacrifice?

Blake: Calm, kindness, kinship, love. I’ve given up all chance at inner peace. I made my mind a sunless space. I share my dreams with ghosts. I wake up every day to an equation I wrote 15 years ago from which there’s only one conclusion. I’m damned for what I do. My anger, my ego, my unwillingness to yield, my eagerness to fight has set me on a path from which there’s no escape. I yearned to be a savior against injustice without contemplating the cost. By the time I looked down, there was no longer any ground beneath my feet. What is my... what is my sacrifice? I’m condemned to use the tools of my enemy to defeat them. I burn my decency for someone else’s future. I burn my life to make a sunrise that I know I’ll never see. Now the ego that started this fight will never have a mirror or an audience or the light of gratitude. So what do I sacrifice? Everything!

Mom: Hi Richard, I'm home! Where are you?

Richard: Upstairs, mom! In my room!

Mom: Oh, Richard! Whatever have you been doing?

Richard: I've been painting my room.

Mom: Yes, I can see that. But... why did you change color halfway through?

Richard: Well I'd done the ceiling and I'd painted one wall when I ran out of paint, so I went to the shop for some more, but then I realized the second pot was a slightly different color. That's why it looks a bit odd.

Mom: But why were you painting anyway? I thought you'd planned lots of things to do with your friends.

Richard: Oh, they were all busy in the end. And yesterday afternoon I was bored. I'd been to town for a few hours, you know, round the center. I'd done the shopping, everything on your list, and I'd finished all my homework so I decided to paint my room.

Mom: Hmm... well I suppose you can put some posters up. But look at the carpet! Why didn't you cover it up?

Richard: Oh yes, I see what you mean.

Mom: I can't think about all this now, I've had such a hard day.

Richard: Why, what happened?

Mom: Well, the meeting was difficult, and then i had such a long journey home. I'd been driving for only an hour when car broke down.

Richard: Oh no!

Mom: Anyway, it took me much longer than normal, so I'm just going into my room to have a lie down.

Richard: Don't go in there just yet mum! Let me tell you about-

Mom: Well, come and tell me in my room so I can sit down.

Richard: That's what I wanted to tell you. I've painted your room too, and it was quite difficult so you might not be too pleased. It was supposed to be a surprise.

Anna: Hey, did you watch that new movie last night?

Ben: Yeah, I did! The visuals really stand out, don’t they?

Anna: Totally. I’ve never come across a world that looks that unique.

Ben: Same here. There was so much detail that it was hard to take in everything.

Anna: True. I still can’t get over how real the creatures looked.

Ben: I know! And the story just goes on smoothly from one scene to another.

Anna: I enjoyed it. Would you watch it again?

Ben: Definitely. I think I missed a lot the first time because there was so much to take in.

Anna: Hey, have you heard about the school trip to the museum?

Ben: Yeah, I heard Sarah came up with the idea, didn’t she?

Anna: Really? That’s cool. I think it’s going to be fun.

Ben: Same here. We’re leaving tomorrow, right?

Anna: Wait, tomorrow? I didn’t know that! Now I’m even more excited.

Ben: Me too. Oh, and we have to bring our own lunch, don’t forget.

Anna: Don’t worry, I’ll pack something. It helps us save money anyway.

Ben: True. I’ve been saving up for the tickets bit by bit.

Anna: That makes sense. The museum staff will show us around, won’t they?

Ben: Yep. I’m really looking forward to it.

Julie: Hello, Richard. This is Julie. I want to return the tennis racket I borrowed from you last week. Will you be home today at about 5 o'clock?

Richard: Yes, I will. I'll be cooking dinner.

Julie: Oh, then I won't come over at 5.

Richard: Why not?

Julie: I don't want to disturb you. You'll be cooking dinner.

Richard: Don't worry. You won't disturb me. Julie: OK. See you at 5.

Mia: I’m so tired today. I wish I had slept earlier last night.

Leo: Same here. I stayed up watching that movie, and now I’m paying the price.

Mia: Yeah, you really burned the midnight oil, didn’t you?

Leo: I did. Honestly, if I had managed my time better, I wouldn’t feel this exhausted now.

Mia: True. I think we both need to sort out our schedules before things get worse.

Leo: Agreed. Let’s try to be more disciplined this week.

Ava: I ran into Tom this morning, and he said he still hasn’t finished the group project.

Liam: Really? I’m looking for him now because we need to discuss the presentation.

Ava: I know. I think he keeps putting it off because he’s nervous about presenting.

Liam: So do I. I get along with Tom really well, but sometimes he avoids things too much.

Ava: Me too. But when he finally focuses, he does a great job.

Liam: Right. I told him the topic is not that hard, and he said he might rewrite his part.

Ava: He should. And honestly, I think he needs to take back what he said yesterday about the project being “a waste of time.”

Liam: I agree. So do I. That comment wasn’t fair.

Ava: I don’t think he meant it seriously.

Liam: Neither do I.

Ava: Well, good luck talking to him!

Liam: You too!