A Perfection: A Short Story

The morning was foggy and I could see the front of my school through my window. It was a nice sight to see. I walked into the kitchen to make myself a bowl of cereal and there she was with her head down on the table. I could tell that she arrived a couple of hours ago because the tears hadn’t dried from her cheeks yet. I got myself ready gave her a kiss on her forehead and headed off to school. I had walked into class eager to see what my teacher Mrs. Padron had in store for today. Every single day there was something new to learn and there’s something about that infinite nature of learning that really appealed to me as a child. I cherished those 7 hours I spent in class the most I could and I dreaded the mere thought of having to go home where I would have to face the

Slowly getting out of bed with no emotion. Rubbed my tiredness eyes after realizing today was the first day in a new school. I heard things about Mary Beck Elementary that were both good and bad. I put on the outfit i layed out the night before on the right side of my antique rocking chair. A dark red t-shirt with a little coral heart on the left side near my chest with the words Por Eterno written in black ink on the inside of the heart. Dark wash relaxed cut jeans and black and white converse that seem as if i walked through a desert with them. Skipped breakfast and waited for bus 107 and as soon as i knew it i was on my way to Mary Beck Elementary.

The next morning, I woke up and I wasn’t feeling so good. I went downstairs and my mom automatically asked me if I was okay. I said no and she felt my forehead. She could tell that I had a fever and so my dad drove me to the doctor. After doing a few tests, the doctor determined that I had the flu. I was very upset because I did not want to be sick on my birthday.

That first day of school that morning was filled with nerves, and heading into the school year.  I was ready as usual and as soon as the bus came, waved to my parents as usual. The bus ride

When I was 7 years old I attended a funeral for my great grandfather. He was 105, and had lived a full life. I wasn’t very close to him but seeing him in the casket was so odd and he looked like an alien. I was a curious child so I stood in front of the casket just observing the body and glancing around at the sadness that this room was filled with. My uncle joined me and asked me if I had said spoken to my great grandfather. I just looked up at him and said “No, he is dead”, since I was pretty certain dead people didn’t talk anymore. Well, he proceeded to tell me that if I asked him a question, my great grandfather would indeed respond. I didn’t ask since I was already scared at this point. My uncle did for me, he asked, “Grandpa, if you

sat in my 8th hour room, staring at the clock, waiting for it to finally hit 3:05. After what felt like an eternity I heard the ring of the bell and a wave of students rushed out into the summer air. Summer was finally here and I couldn’t be happier. I had a whole three months to do whatever I wanted. No homework, no tests, no teachers. I hopped on my bus that would drive me home and deliver me to freedom.

It was a warm April day with clouds hanging and storms on the horizon. School had just gotten out, and everybody was rushing home so they could start their weekend plans. For most people that included prom, but me and my friends had different plans, which included going out to eat on Friday night. On the way to the restaurant, me and Sara were talking about how my excitement was building in anticipation of receiving my drivers license and talking about our difficult homework.

I glanced down at my watch with anticipation that I was about to be late, but the sun was barely visible beyond the trees of the park I was passing. "Four-thirty." I muttered sadly. I knew that this was going to be a day to remember, and yet had no idea why I felt that way. The cobblestones beneath my feet clacked in time with my breathing as the unconscious part of myself felt the urge to run. I sprinted the rest of the way to Main Street.

I awoke to the gentle sound of trees dancing in the breeze. Silken grass at my fingertips and the songs of nature filled my ears, the serenity of it all almost made me want to lay there forever. All good things come to an end eventually, but if only it weren't so. Groaning, I sat up and gathered what little I had back into my pack. My dagger, however, deserved a special place upon my belt; you can never be too cautious nowadays.

Rain poured on me as I walked home. I was all soaked and as usual, I was alone. It was close to night, and I lived in Del Mar. The other kids walked on the other side of the sidewalk gossiping and insulting me under their breaths, but I tried to not let the voices get to my head. I just kept treading forward. I got to the streetlights and made my across the street to go hike up the hill that leads to my house. My tucked my hands in my jacket pockets and positioned my head down to the dark, paved, and quiet street.

It was Friday, March 17, and it was a minute before 2:35pm in which we would get out of school. There was so much anticipation for the final bell to sound and start spring break. “Diiinnnnggg,” went the final bell. Everyone bolted into the hallways to get home and start the week.

Four AP’s. 4.42 GPA. 27 A’s. These numbers define me. I have destroyed myself in pursuit of these digits, and no words could effectively describe their importance to me. There are plenty of us. We, the kids who stay up past midnight rereading our essays, miss parties and games to polish our Spanish projects, and bombard our teachers with simple questions on vocabulary quizzes. But is it worth it? Some days I can feel myself cracking. The pressure of perfection is suffocating, and I silently scream for freedom from the bondage of my black backpack’s straps. What if there was more to life than the pursuit of sublimity?

When I was a young toddler my mom took me to the doctor. I thought that it was just a routine checkup but it was a lot more than that. Mom signed the paperwork and I played with some of the toys in the office. When we were called in my mom took me and we went into the room. After waiting a while the doctor came in holding a needle and a bottle of liquid.

At 3:15 I walk out the school doors and called my mom, to come get me. She said “I just got into town from Danville” then I said “okay.”

It was a gloomy Monday morning. The trees swayed back and forward in the dim, murky sky. I walked over to the bus stop alone with my hair getting swooshed into my face. I walk one foot after the other thinking about all homework to come this week.