A not so once upon a time

Payton Woods

I lay in my room with my notebook and pen, slowly ripping out and tearing pages of worthless work. The frustration pouring out, “Why do all my friends have great parties except me?”

Hours and hours of destined long hard work to get nowhere. Not a single page filled with good ideas, but bad ones. My sweet sixteen was coming up and I didnt have any ideas. I would think after being alive more than fifteen years, I would have figured out how to come up with ideas. But no. Suddenly I hear a loud crash downstairs, My mom rattling pans from the cupboard. Trying to make a home cooked dinner. Which we all know that she’s not so good at cooking. Here we go again. With the “Honey help me, a skillet fell on the ground,” or “Sweety what’s a tablespoon,” At least she had dedication. I definitely didn’t get that gene. I decided to take a break for a while to let my mind settle a bit. Mom was downstairs. I could smell and taste the scent of burnt toast.

“Darling, dinner’s done,” she said. It didn’t look too appetizing but she tried so that’s all that matters. I gave the toast to my dog, Gemma. And started walking to the stairs when my mom said “Honey, why don’t you theme your party on what I did in high school?” And that’s when it hit me. The theme will be a british tea party. “Thank you mom,” I said, before running upstairs. After I had jolted down some ideas for revision by my mom I had a sense of accomplishment. I really was gonna have a good party. I started getting optimistic about the party, excited for what was gonna happen. The next day at school I couldn’t focus on any quizzes. My mom always told me to focus so I can get into a good college, even though I’m only in 10th grade. Anyway, in class all I could do was doodle party ideas. My party was right after school ended for the summer. So in approximately eight days. Most of the tests, and quizzes where to study for pre calc next year. And let’s say it sure isn’t fun. Most of my friends have colleges already in mind. I walk through the Target I live by all the time. Even in the kids section I see shirts that say “Stanford, Yale, Harvard”. Knowing that my gpa could never get me there. Was I a nobody, someone longing to go to a college that no ones ever heard of? Will I be walking alone on rainy days with no one to share my coat with? Will I end up ALONE with no one? As I started planning for my party, I realized I had forgotten the whole point. “ The guest list”. I thought, Knowing I didn’t have many friends.

“A FEW MONTHS LATER”. My birthday was around the corner. I had everything ordered, I knew who was coming and I was overly proud. A few days passed like wind gushing through the air. It was the day of my party. To be precise July 23, 2022. Everyone ( that I knew) began to show up. My party went fine, ( ha, I said fine, not great you think I enjoyed it). Well a little I guess. Everyone had to leave before 6, my enemy through a summer party ( knowing well my party was that day). Anyway what can I do but be optimistic there’s always next year.