The day after his conversation with Mr. Clarke, Alex felt a small spark of hope. He was still unsure of how things might change, but he sensed that maybe—just maybe—he could find his own place. As he passed the bulletin board in the hallway, a poster for the art club caught his eye. He’d always enjoyed doodling, though he’d never shown his drawings to anyone. With a jolt of courage, he decided to go to the first meeting after school.
The art club room was filled with students from different grades, all hunched over their sketchbooks or canvases, immersed in their own creations. Alex quietly took a seat at the back and began sketching a tree, letting his pencil move instinctively. He liked the way drawing made him feel; it was a space where he didn’t have to compare himself to anyone else.
A girl with long, curly hair sat down next to him and introduced herself as Mia. She had a warm smile and a calm presence that made him feel comfortable. She showed him her sketchbook, filled with lifelike drawings of animals, each more impressive than the last. They chatted for a bit, and Alex found himself laughing for the first time in a while. It felt nice to be with someone who saw him for him.
Over the next few weeks, Alex lost himself in his drawings. One day, he sketched an image that had been in his mind for a long time: a boy standing between two shining stars. He put all his emotions into the piece, and as he shaded in the boy, he realized something—he was the focus of the drawing, not the stars. It was his own story, and he was right in the middle of it, shining in his own way.
After a club meeting, he showed his sketchbook to his mom, who took the time to study each drawing with genuine admiration. “Alex, these are beautiful,” she said, her eyes soft with pride. “You have a real gift.”
For the first time, Alex felt fully seen. He realized that being in the middle didn’t mean being invisible. It just meant he was finding his own path, at his own pace, and he was ready to embrace it.
YOU ARE READING
The Middle of It All
Novela JuvenilThe Middle of It All tells the story of Alex, a middle child who feels overlooked in his family. His older brother, Ryan, is celebrated for his athletic achievements, while his younger sister, Lily, easily captures everyone's attention with her char...
