by Ayannah Garcia

“So how is high school so far,” they ask me

And if they let me, I’ll tell them everything

I’ll tell them how I started high school when I was just thirteen

Yes, that’s right, in freshman year I won’t be fifteen

I will tell them how I learned some algebra two 

Made some friends and lost some friends I sadly outgrew

Had a favorite teacher and some crushes in the first semester

Made plans then disbanded them with my best friend who wears polyester 

But if you ask, “So how is high school so far,” ask my tear-stained pillow

Ask my day where I almost had a panic attack and cried just a little

Ask my stress levels after tests and midterms

And ask my obsession with beating my brother into being the smarter child full-term 

Oh yeah, almost forgot, ask my Sundays where I silently fold clothes pondering life

No, they’re going to ask, “so how is high school so far” and I will answer 

“It’s pretty great honestly. In almost 2 years I will be starting the rest of my life to be a dancer.”

“It is pretty darn great” It really is, with my friends, my best friends

And reconciliations with friends of the past, because sometimes it does work out in the end

And so many achievements I think, no, I will have and I feel a chill

So many moments where it matters, and my life comes to a standstill 

The moments where nothing matters when I’m with friends

The moments where the work was worth it, and I left the floor to ascend

I do think it will, and it will be a pretty darn great rest of my life

So, when they ask about high school so far, staring directly into my eyes

And they are talking about my experience, only mine 

I will, and I will answer, “it is hard, but the fun outshines the bad almost all the time.” 

And I’ll smile. 

About Ayannah Garcia

Ayannah Garcia is a freshman attending Richwoods High School, where she takes part in the Pre-IB program, the Royalettes dance team, and the drama club. Outside of school, she loves to dance, read, journal, travel with family, and play with her dog. In addition to these activities, she is currently a member of the Finale Group of the Greater Peoria Illinois Chapter of Jack and Jill, an organization for young African American individuals who want to serve the community, and a member of her church’s youth group.