We're in This Together [most likely DISCONTINUED]

The Moment The World Turned Upside Down

October 29, 2021

Life can be crazy sometimes.

People normally compare it to being on a very twisty and loopy roller coaster. And I wholeheartedly agree. Sometimes, there are more valleys than hills. Other times, there are so many turns and corkscrews and loops that we lose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel. But at the end of the ride, we feel relieved that it ever happened in the first place so we can celebrate the memories that we created along the way.

And that's exactly what life feels like right now.

Everything was fine. Until it wasn't. I mean, life was going fairly well until we heard the announcement. I remembered what my friends and I heard over the loudspeaker this morning during AP United States History, or APUSH for short, which was our first period: the principal was obviously worried, her voice full of concern for us.

"Hello, everyone. I apologize for this announcement, especially because the day has just begun, but--".

"Hey. John, you good?" I heard a guy's voice coming from behind.

I turned around. I blushed. It was Alex. I couldn't help myself from letting my thoughts race in my head. Come on, John! Don't make it obvious that you like him! He was so cute.

"Uh, well, I mean, I guess?" I replied. I didn't know what to say. The announcement stressed me out so much. I assume it stressed everyone out. Who wouldn't be worried that our lives would be changing like the flip of a switch? Literally. One day, we are all living our happy lives as high school juniors, and the next, we are all forced to stay home.

I sighed. Yep. I wasn't so sure I was actually okay, considering the emotional stress that announcement gave me. Especially because it was Fall, the best time of the year to get together with friends and celebrate the holidays with each other. And now, with this? It's all going to be thrown away, and no one knows when life is going to go back to normal.

"What do you mean you 'guess'? You don't look okay."

Fine. He was right. I wasn't okay. I was only pretending to be okay because I didn't want him to think that I was some overthinking maniac who cares about every little thing. But I did. I was obviously stressed because our lives were going to change, and we didn't know what was going to happen in the future. What about college? How will we even graduate?

"Come here." He put his arm around me. My cheeks burned. I pushed his arm off of my shoulder. John! Why'd you do that?! He's going to think you totally dislike him now!

"Sorry."

"Haha, don't worry. I do that with a lot of people."

That was uncomfortable. I wasn't ready to confess. There are so many things I'm not ready to do yet. Life's already been so stressful. Now there was that stupid announcement. Of course my life had to be ruined more. Alex looked at me, with a look of worry in his eyes.

"Do you want to talk to me about anything? Remember, I'm always here for you," he said promisingly. I loved that about him. He was my best friend. I remember back in freshman year, he said that I was his first ever friend because he was that new immigrant student so everyone else that he was strange, but I know a forming friendship when I see one, and when I saw him, that was exactly what I felt.

I hesitated. I didn't know what to do. I decided to start with what was at the front of my mind: the loudspeaker announcement. Ugh, it's been bothering me so much today! You should just tell him. He's not going to judge you! You don't have to even tell him you like him.

"Well," I started. "Today's just been really stressful for me. I don't know about you, but this whole situation has flipped the world upside down ever since the principal announced what was going to happen to the school this morning during APUSH. You know me. I always feel sick whenever something unpredictable happens." I could feel my shoulder muscles tensing up. I've always had anxiety, but it's never been this bad before.

"Look. Life isn't always going to be predictable. Just like what happened this morning. And I might be the most stubborn person you know, but you know I'm right."

I smiled and nodded. That was the other thing I really liked about him. He was always there to comfort me. And yes. He was the most stubborn person I knew. He took seven AP classes despite my, and our friends, efforts to convince him not to. But, he didn't care.

"I agree. You are the most stubborn person on this Earth!" We turned around to the sound of a young girl's voice.

"Shut up, Peggy!" Alex exclaimed.

"I also know you like John!" She winked at me.

"Don't listen to her," he retorted. He glared at her. I laughed. That's obviously a joke. I told myself. There's no way Alex likes me back. He's so out of my league. I know he's bisexual and all, but me? Really? He has so many other, better options out there. Even women. I can't even imagine myself being with any.

"But I'm the most boring person! I'm just an average Joe." I replied.

"If you're the most boring person in the world, then how does Alex like you, huh?" She giggled.

"Peggy!" Alex snapped. "You're so annoying!" His face turned red. "Fine! John, Peggy has a crush on Maria!"

We went silent. Everything felt awkward. "Uh, I think you should go back to working on your APUSH essays Alex." I knew him like the back of my hand. He gets angry easily. Obviously. And he relaxes by writing essays for school. Which isn't normal, but that's what makes him unique. "And for you Peggy." I turned to her. "Go back to annoying your sisters, would you?"

"Ugh. Fine." She left to find her siblings. "Angie! Eliza!"

I looked at Alex. He sighed. "Sorry about that," he started to apologize for, er, whatever that was.

"No. Just look. Cool off and relax for a bit, but after a couple hours of writing, make sure to take a break," I told him. He rolled his eyes.

"Whatever you say, boring man." He took off to work on his APUSH essays. What are the chances he's actually to stop writing his essays until he's done? Never. I sighed. I went off to my room to write my book.