A boy, stranded in an unknown area, stands there in the rain, wishing for a way out of this place. With no one to guide him, he guides himself through the wretched downpour. Walk, drip, walk, drip. For hours, he continues his stride in search of shelter and food, but no one welcomes him with open arms. “When will this be over,” the boy said. Not an umbrella insight nor a piece of bread to rip with his teeth. He takes refuge under a small awning, barely enough cover to get him out of the rain. ACHOO! The boy longs for warmth. A way back to his family, the family who left him to rot. Something is better than nothing. When the morning arrives, the sun shines its powerful rays towards the boy’s eyes. He realizes that he fell asleep using some newspaper from the nearby dumpster as his blanket and a couple of worn-down boxes for pillows. Wasn’t comfortable, but it was better than the concrete mattress prepaid out for him. A bystander notices the boy and asks a question, making the boy break down into tears. Where is your family? I don’t know. Let me help you until we can find them. The bystander and the boy walk towards the sun, bright and beautiful, no rain anywhere to be seen.

Grades

I was lucky enough to be naturally smart and this mentality carried me all the way through kindergarten to 8th grade. However, it changed when I entered high school. It was clear that I was struggling in academically harder classes which is when I thought to myself- am I not smart enough? 

Is this too hard for me?

I only then realized that honor and accelerated classes in high school had everyone on their toes. Knowing that it was not only me made me feel better in some sort of way. It was also a reminder that it’s not the end of the world. “Get an A”. That was the goal and drive that me and my fellow peers all shared.

Judgement’s Toll

Judgment is one of the insecurities that many kids my age have. We tend to care more about what others think of us. My insecurities range in many forms which differ from my other friends, but judgment is the most common out of us all. I remember the times when I was judged for things that I took to heart.

“Why do you like this thing?” one said.

“You’re so small,” another said.

Although I laugh it off as a joke, deep down I’m just waiting for someone to push my buttons and tell them to SHUT UP!

I hurt and hurt but got back up and kept my composure. As long as it isn’t anything harmful, I won’t slip. I have my parents to thank since they taught me to not give a flip and to just leave it alone or else something bigger will erupt. 

The Jokes

My sister. Closest in age to me, but has more responsibilities. There are times where things get very stressful for her and I try to lift her spirit by cracking jokes. They definitely work! Her laughter is peculiar, but finds its way into my ear causing a reaction of laughter too. It only takes us five minutes until we are rolling on the floor. 

Stomach cramp. Stomach cramp. Stomach cramps always won the race before the air reached my lungs.

Fortunately, our humor happens to be on the same boat. It makes everything easier for me to connect to her that way. When you don’t have to explain the joke, it becomes ten times funnier than it is meant to be. That’s the relationship I have with my sister. Just me, her, and our jokes.

Just a Crush, No More than That

The girl who can slow down your world with a glance. The girl who turns hours into minutes. The girl who is your other half. The girl you wish you could be with everyday. The girl you see in your dreams and future. The girl you can’t have but want. So, how’d you end up like this?

Phase 1: You start to notice her more and, all of a sudden she happens to be very easy to see within a crowd. Everyone becomes a blur, but her face is as clear as the sky. 

Phase 2: You talk to her and over time your feelings develop even stronger making every conversation worth more to you. Time passes like lightning striking. Striking your heart with every word she says.

Phase 3: You discover more about her and her likes and dislikes, hoping for compatibility. Looking for the slightest thing to bond about. Praying the slightest thing can bring you closer than you were before.

Phase 4: You doubt it’ll work out, and you figured that maybe she only sees you as a friend. You try to be happy about the fact you have an amazing relationship with her, only not the one you’ve dreamed of.

Phase 5: You try your hardest to forget the feelings you’ve had for her, giving her up without a fight which you know you’ll regret, but at least you’ll be happy…

Phase 6: She’s just a crush, no more than that.