Moments of Magic

The Last Day

"It's your last day, Mia! Excited?" Ethan asked as he drove me to school. A month had passed since the band trip, and today was going to be filled with fun activities.

"Hell yeah!" I shouted. I was really happy for a number of reasons. Of course, who doesn't like the last day of school? The minute 3:00 rolls around, everyone cheers, for it is the start of freedom from schoolwork.

I was relieved that I was finishing much earlier than the public schools. The public schools in my area are notorious for closing when there is not even a speck of snow on the ground, so they have to make it up. As a result, they end up having to finish near the end of June. As a public school kid, I could tell you how annoying it was. After SOLs, there's basically nothing to do, so we just learn stuff that would be useful in the next grade. Of course, towards the end of the school year, we ended up watching movies. And the last day of school came around...and oh, the Force...it was as boring as shit. In the morning, there would be an awards ceremony where the principal would hand out awards no one cared about. And after the awards ceremony...well...I'll just leave it at that.

Instead of an awards ceremony that morning, the whole school community played outdoors the whole time. There were activities such as the sack race and the water balloon toss. I still remember the seventh grade girls crushing Mr. T in tug-of-war. Then, lunch came. We all had an outdoor picnic. Afterwards, we took turns signing each other's yearbooks. Then, I realized something. I had to give out gifts to my teachers! They've done so much for me this year, so how could I not thank them?

First, I started with Ms. Grace. She had been a great teacher that year. She and I got along, but that's probably because she was from the same country as I. I don't know.

"Aw, Mia! That's such a nice drawing!" Ms. Grace pulled me in for a bear hug. "I'm also leaving next year."

"What?!" I shouted. Ms. Grace was leaving? This news troubled me. I was closer to Ms. Grace than with any other teacher. Sure, there was the guidance counselor from my old school, and someone who was neighbors with my parents in the 90s, but this time was different. I don't know why. Then again, it's her life, so she can do whatever she feels like.

"Can I sign your yearbook?"

"Yeah." I handed my yearbook to Ms. Grace, who wrote a cute little note. I smiled when I read it. "Can I hand out my gifts to the other teachers?"

"Sure."

"Hey, Luna, you wanna accompany on an errand?" I asked Luna when I bumped into her in the hallway.

"Sure." Luna shrugged. She probably didn't have much to do. Our first stop was Coach Eddy's office in the MPR.

"Hey, Coach. I have something for you." I said as I gave Coach Eddy a drawing. He chuckled.

"Nice drawing! Can I also sign your yearbook?"

"Yeah." I said. Coach Eddy was one of my favorite teachers from this school. His quirkiness, optimism, and enthusiasm never ceased to make my day. He handed me my yearbook and I read his note. Luckily, he was staying the next year.

It read:

Mia, you are super hilarious! Your smiles never cease to make my day. Have a great summer...Coach Eddy

It rarely occurred to me that I actually had a sense of humor. This part of me came to light when Luna and I became friends during the overnight camping trip. My brothers would tease me about not having a sense of humor. I still read his note and smile to this day.

Next, I met with Ms. C, the Indian woman who taught math.

"Ms. C! I have something to give you!" I said as I handed her my drawing.

"Whoa, Mia! You are really talented! Can I sign your yearbook?" Ms. C applauded my talent.

"Go ahead."

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And just like that, my seventh grade year officially came to a close. I saw Ms. C as I was leaving, and she was showing my gift to some random person.

"Can you believe this? One of my students actually drew this for me." Ms. C caught sight of me. "That's the one."

"Bye, Ms. C! Have a great summer!" I cheered as I hugged her.

"You too! See you in September!"

I walked out of my school and into Ethan's car.

"How was your last day?" Ethan asked.

"A blast!" I answered. As Ethan drove off, I heard people calling to me.

"Bye, Mia! Have a great summer!" Principal G called. I only waved back.

During the car ride home, I began to reflect on all that had happened that year. I've heard about the drama that goes on at Amy's school, so I was grateful for being sent to where I was. I was always used to being loved. Whenever I visit my old school, the teachers there are happy to see me. But at my current school...it was a whole new experience. I was able to get to know the teachers on a deeper level, and vice versa.

Just then, I realized that my current school was the right place for me. After my father's death, I was scarred for life. My mom must've realized that I needed to go to a school that would get personal with me. And that's what it did for me. I began to open up to my new peers and teachers, so much that I could tell them anything. I took advantage of this in my eighth grade year, where I would rant to one particular teacher about stuff that annoyed me. C'mon, I've gotta channel my inner Anakin Skywalker sometimes, right?

But what mattered most is that I was at a good school, that I was getting a good education, and the fact that I was surrounded by kind and caring people. And if there's one thing I learned from my seventh grade year, it's that being yourself is totally okay.

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Author's Note: Phew! Seventh grade year done! Now that's one less headache. On to eighth grade, then!

What was your middle school like? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

12/27/16

catmikaelson has started this petition! She wants this guy named David Mazouz to help her. I want David to help her cope with her depression. Depression is a serious issue but it can be treated. I will try and do everything I can to help her cope. Petition is below.

https://www.change.org/p/why-i-want-to-date-david-mazouz?recruiter=656581247&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink