6:00am waking up to a loud alarm and a pounding headache
Getting out of bed feeling my aching legs
Scurrying to be ready in time
Going through the day, running on yogurt
Not having the time to prioritize myself over academics
Finishing a school day doesn't feel like an accomplishment
Knowing my day isn’t complete but not having the energy to finish it
Going to swim practice feels like a chore,
Feeling the cold water cool my temperature down
Swimming laps over and over, barley catching my breath
Getting out of the water having my feet burning on the cold deck
Eventually getting in the car to go home is a relief
Finally at 8:30 at night I get to eat my first meal of the day
Washing the chlorine out of my hair takes forever, and finally getting in bed
10:00pm I lay my head on my pillow I realize,
I need to do this again tomorrow.
--Torrance M., 9th-12th Grade