~ Hector Cruz, Class of 2024

I sleepily glance over to my left and groan as the dim red light of my digital alarm clock reaches my eyes. It’s two AM and the heavy rain pounding full force against my window has foiled all of my attempts at falling asleep. I quietly say “Alexa, play smooth jazz” and get frustrated when its microphone doesn’t pick up my tired voice. I clear my throat and project my voice. Despite the booming of the thunder outside, my voice seems too loud in my dark room. As the music starts to play, I reach my arm out and blindly grope for the volume button on the alexa that’s resting on my nightstand. The soft sounds of trumpets and light percussion bring some life to my otherwise deathly still room. With the softness of the pillow under my head and the gentle pressure of the blankets on top of me, I finally drift off to sleep. 

I wake up twelve minutes after six to the sound of the birds chirping and bright light shining in my face through the cracks in the blinds. I groan and lazily lift an arm and lay it over my eyes to block out the light as I attempt to go back to sleep. My brain wanders and regretfully, I remember my responsibilities. I take a deep breath and throw the blankets off of me. The cold air hits my skin and almost makes me give up and pull the blankets back over me. I manage to drag myself out of bed and pull some clothes on. I look at myself in the mirror that isn’t tall enough anymore and crouch so I can see my face. I look away from my tired face and head downstairs to eat breakfast.

The smell of the eggs my mom is frying hits my nose and my stomach complains loudly as I get my backpack ready to go to school. I grab a plate of eggs once they’re done frying and I quickly shovel them into my mouth as my mom gets ready to drive me to school. I finish up my plate and place it in the sink to be washed later. I grab the strap of my backpack and swing it over my shoulder as I walk out the door and drop into the passenger seat of my mom’s car. I get to school after a short car ride and walk a short distance to my advisors room.

The rest of the day passes by in a blur as I put my head down and plow through my classes. I finally get a breath of relief as lunch rolls by and I sit down with a full plate and enjoy being able to satisfy my hunger. I head to study hall after filling my stomach and I enjoy the company of my friends as I finish up some simple assignments. Study hall ends and the teacher gets up from her seat and tells us to go to sports. My friends and I linger for a moment as we pack up our things and keep joking around. We walk as a group to the locker room and we change into our sports clothes.

Once I’m all changed and ready to go, I walk over to the wrestling room and spend the next hour forty-five enjoying the exertion as sweat runs down my face. I head back to my locker after practice and swing my backpack over my shoulder once again. 

I walk outside and say goodbye to my friends as I walk by them and hop into my mom’s car. 

We arrive back at home and I go up to my room, drop my backpack on the floor and take a moment to reset my mind before I sit down at my desk to do homework. 

I spend the next couple of hours working and after I grab a small dinner. 

I head to my warm and welcoming bed and the cycle repeats.