Scary Thoughts: Spiders, Earthquakes, Girls, Future

It used to be that there wasn’t anything scarier than watching a film that starred mutated Japanese monsters that were the product of atomic mishaps.

Nowadays, many of our worst childhood nightmares have turned into abhorrent realities.

With Halloween coming up next week--and nobody afraid of witches or ghosts anymore--Hot Topics wonders, “What scares you?”

“Failure to live up to expectations set by myself and those who rely on me.” Saji Gumawardane, 17, senior, Valencia

“Having no control over outside forces, such as the environment and the weather.” Eric Eskenazi, 18, senior, Los Alamitos

“If art were to be censored.” Persephone Gonzales, 15, junior, Sonora

“Global warming, the threat of war and the serious lack of available guys in the world.” Leslie Begley, 16, junior, Woodbridge

“Of not having a tan.” Kristen Ruzzi, 14, freshman, Fullerton

“I’m afraid of everything in the form of water. I’m afraid of my shadow, revolving doors and pencil sharpeners. I’m also afraid of being afraid.” Young Park, 17, junior, La Quinta

“Things I can’t explain.” Jessica Hulsey, 14, freshman, Cypress

“Earthquakes, because they say the big one is coming and it might kill a lot of people.” Lori Ann Francisco, 14, freshman, El Toro

“Gory movies, anything with blood gushing.” Julie Vieillemaringe, 15, sophomore, Connelly

“I’m scared of girls.” Francis Aldana, 16, junior, Irvine

“Taking my girlfriend out to a restaurant and finding out that I forgot my wallet.” Andrew Antonio, 14, freshman, St. Michael’s Prep

“Spiders, because they are disgusting creatures.” Susan Minamizona, 17, senior, Esperanza

“Of what our world is coming to with pollution, gang violence and the ozone layer depletion.” Jamie Katzman, 17, senior, Corona del Mar

“Being home alone.” Jennifer Slayman, 17, senior, Orange

“That I’m graduating and will have to face the real world.” Dich Tran, 18, senior, Saddleback

“Getting maimed or injured by a crazy driver.” Vivek Sharma, 16, senior, Los Alamitos

“My goal is to be a foreign diplomat. I am very scared that I will end up as a travel agent.” Ginny Case, 17, senior, Valencia

“When I drop a fork or something down the garbage disposal and I have to stick my hand down there, I’m afraid that it’ll accidentally turn on and chop my hand.” Josh Rosen, 17, senior, Woodbridge

“Thinking you have to be just like everyone else to be cool or liked.” Anne Kaefer, 16, junior, La Quinta

“The wrath of my parents.” Erin Shelton, 17, senior, Cypress

“Any person who’s 8 feet tall in a bad mood with a chain saw.” Patrick Ede, 17, senior, Fullerton

“The quality of our leaders.” Michelle Gross, 16, junior, Connelly

“Snails and slugs. I’m terrified of them. I don’t know why; it’s just a strange phobia I have.” Leah Vu, 16, junior, El Toro

“Knowing the worst thing is going to happen and not knowing when.” Christopher Cipolla, 16, junior, Irvine

“Our principal in a bad mood.” Alex Fimbres, 15, sophomore, St. Michael’s Prep

“New Kids on the Block.” Josh Paquentt, 15, freshman, Sonora

“The thought of Motley Crue ending their career.” Esther Collins, 15, sophomore, Saddleback

“Parents Music Resource Center.” Lisa Mastel, 14, freshman, Sonora

“Being alone later in life.” Mika Bissett, 17, senior, Los Alamitos

“Whether or not I can control my spontaneous actions, because most of the time I enjoy them.” Jason McNeeley, 17, senior, Valencia

“That I’ll die without doing things I really want to do, or when I have a fight with someone, that I’ll die before I can say I’m sorry.” Kasey Kohnow, 14, freshman, Woodbridge

“Seniors, especially the ones twice my height. I have trash-can-aphobia.” Bobby Hall, 14, freshman, La Quinta

“My future and what it holds for me.” Sujata Mody, 17, senior, Irvine

“I’m afraid of going to college where I’m going to college next year.” Bahram Mirhashemi, 17, senior, Corona del Mar

“Six-foot-five middle-blockers from the La Habra High School volleyball team.” Cindy Huffman, 17, senior, Sonora

“Dying.” Andrea Morales, 15, sophomore, Orange

Next Week’s Hot Topic:

What class should be offered at your school that is not in the curriculum?