My mom’s car pulls up to the giant brick building

Another day will go to waste

I take my time getting out of the car

Is there a point for me to be here?

Or is this just a punishment

And my crime is not knowing enough

I walk into the building

I can feel my anxiety shoot up like a thermometer when something is too hot

I keep my eyes down so I can collect enough courage to talk to someone

The popular girls look at me and smirk

What did I forget?

I wore my best clothes

My hair is brushed

Everything is fine

But it doesn’t feel like it

I start to panic

1st period

I take it easy

All I have to do is run

Today was the day where I have to embarrass myself as I struggle to run around the gym

I say I just want to tie my shoe

But really my lungs burn with such pain I can’t take it

I look at the other girls

They run like it’s nothing

I look at the guys

Smirking and laughing as a pretend to tie my shoe

2nd period

Typing class

Easy

But the smart kids stare as I mess up

Meanwhile as all of this is happening my anxiety is like a bear

It’s roaring for me to break down but I can’t

Not with people watching

3rd period

I get a problem wrong

The class laughs

And the teacher wonders why I don’t say anything

I get a problem wrong

And the teacher goes off

I sit silent, watching the clock as I pray for lunch to be soon

Lunch

I don’t eat

All I can think about is how I have three projects, 7 pages of notes, 3 books to read and a test to study for

I’ll never have time to finish

Anxiety shoots through me again, this time not a bear but a shark

Ready to take me under the water and destroy me

4-6 period

Work

Work

Work

Work

Anxiety

Work

Work

The final bell rings

A sudden flow of clam rushes over me

I’m freed

Until tomorrow