RIVALS

"Mí Violetta..."

I lean up, immediately sitting up in bed, a smirk plastered on my face.

Beep - *crunch*

I did it.

A thrill rushed up my spine and down my finger which is still attached to the snooze button of my alarm clock.

I am quite possibly the only person on the face of the planet that has trained themselves extensively to wake up at precisely 5:01 am without fail.

Another fear overcome for the Guinness Book of World Records.

I roll back my bunny rabbit comforter and slide my feet into its matching slippers, only to power up my desktop and type...

Good morning Rachel Guerrero!
I pray this email finds you well.

I have managed to, yet again, cross a record off my bucket list. It was fun!

When available, please arrive at my residence by at least 4am tomorrow. My grandmother will grant you access to the house and lead you to my room where you shall find me fast asleep, only to wake at precisely 5:01am.

I hope to see you soon!

Violetta Aunjanue Lewis
Student mentor, daughter, student.
Founder of VALA (2018)
Class President
Class of 2025
NJHS (circa 2018)
NHS (circa 2021)
NAACP (circa 2023)
Volunteers of America (circa 2024)
Poll Worker (circa 2023) 🇺🇸
Future Neural Surgeon
PH: 575.546.7803
FAX: 575.546.3784

I take a moment to admire my work.

"Yet another feat." I say to myself, looking at the clock.

This school year has no option but to be epic.

5:30am.

My eyes practically bulge outside of my skull at the time I find.

I immediately shed my pink two piece pajamas, dropping them on my way to the bathroom.

No time for exercise this a.m.

I lather myself from head to toe with an organic shaving cream (that I made myself btw), just as I do every morning, taking a few swipes to rid myself of all the gross hairs that accumulated in the past day. Then I exfoliate and shampoo my waist length dreadlocks.

Then I carefully scrub my face with a complex mix of retinol, hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acid 2%, only to finish it off with a thin layer of SPF 50 and tretinoin cream. Absolutely glowing!

Then comes the uniform. It would be ugly if I didn't add my own, favorable twist to it freshman year. Yes, we wear the boring red blazer and white blouse with a matching kilt, but with all of my pins, broaches, and sparkling hems, it is fabulous. 

I adorn my hair with jewels and a pink headband with a bow at the top. I put on my pandora bracelet, "V" necklace, and puffy earrings before grabbing my multiple allocated folders.

Just as I move to walk out my bedroom door, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I can't move.

I turn my body to be face on with the mirror this time.

I hold my head high.

"You got this."

***

When I arrive outside the school, I am star struck. Even though I was only here last week to collaborate with a few administrators, I am reminded again why I chose this place to be my home.