Mending Broken Hearts

First Day

  "And though she be but little, she is fierce" -Shakespeare

   "Cold...coldness is all I felt through my thin sweater as I walked out on to my front porch. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to conserve as much body heat as possible. I glanced at the man in uniform standing in front of me, that looked like he'd rather be anywhere but here. A couple of minutes later, I understood why. In a couple of minutes, on that cold December night, my whole world was turned upside down. I didn't think it would ever be upright again..that night is when it all started."

     I woke up with a start as I recalled the horrific memory. I sat up in my bed and pulled my blankets tightly around my shaking body. Closing my eyes and then taking deep breaths helped to control my shaking. I took one last uneven breath and gathered the strength to get out of bed and get ready for school, as it was 6:10, according to my alarm clock. Deciding that a warm shower would help relax my nerves, I quietly made my way down the hall.

    When the water was no longer warm, I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a fluffy white towel around my body. As I walked across the hall, back to my room, I glanced at my clock. It was now 6:30. I hurriedly scrambled over to my closet and pulled out a razor back tank top and laid it on my bed. I then made my way over to my dresser, where I pulled out some black skinny jeans, long Nike socks, and undergarments. I quickly pulled on all of my clothes and remembered to grab a pair of basketball shorts, a cut off shirt,sports bra, and compression shorts for gym later during the day. I then stuffed them into my backpack along with my notebooks and zipped it closed. Grabbing a couple of items from my vanity, I darted back towards the bathroom.

I effectively brush my teeth and then comb out my naturally curly hair, adding a touch of coconut oil and mousse. I steal one last glance at my reflection and give myself two thumbs up, because I'm that self-motivational. After sprinting back into my bedroom and grabbing my school necessities,which involve phone, earphones, charger, and backpack, I made my way swiftly back downstairs.

      I head straight towards the kitchen to grab a granola bar. I walk across our glossy hardwood floor, making my way towards the pantry and grab a granola bar from the small box. I then hurriedly grab my house keys from where they are hanging on a hook by the kitchen doorway and speed walk to the front door. I then shrug on my hooded leather jacket,also pulling on my black high top converse and locking my front door. After that I dash outside quickly walking in the direction of the school I have been attending for a little over 10 years.

       The morning walks to school have gotten noticeably colder and it was in those times that I wished I had a license, but I knew that wouldn't happen any time soon, thanks to particular reasons. I shut my eyes and cleared my head, pulled my jackets' hood up and continued my walk, slightly picking up my pace.

       I quickly found myself standing in front  of my school. I took a hesitant step forward and stopped.

    I couldn't do this.

     Today was the first day back. I couldn't walk into this school that stood the same as it had always been, whereas everything in my life had been turned upside down. I seriously considered turning back around and jump back into my loving bed and watch Netflix all day or read one of my amazing books. I took a deep unsteady breath and before I could change my mind, walked determinedly to the front doors of the school. Repeating the same sentence over and over again to myself.

"Fake it till you make it Araceli, fake it till you make it."