Dear Diary,
Today is the day, today it's going to happen.
I spent all day yesterday panicking that the day has ended before I knew it. So, yesterday I couldn't come up with a good excuse to tell Mr. Thompson. My only option now is to call in sick, but that means I'll have to convince one of my parents to call the school.
In the morning, I walk to Mom to ask, to beg her to call in sick. But she sees through my attempt and tells me it's "just a drill." "It's better that you've been informed now than for them to just carry it out." That's the moment I realize I can't avoid this fire drill.
I'm in math class when the familiar alarm blares through the classrooms. The ringing echoes in my head until it gives me a headache. My feet immediately feel heavier. I hear the students around me stand up, ready to walk out calmly, laughing and chatting, grateful for those minutes they're not in class. Meanwhile, my body feels increasingly heavy. I freeze completely, unable to move a single part of my body while my breathing becomes increasingly rapid.
I feel Maya take my hand. Most of the students have already left, including Lily and Sophie. But Maya stands beside me, her eyes showing me she maintains the calm she always exudes. "Breath with me. In... out..." I listen to what she says, following her every move. She guides me from my seat and out of the classroom, calmly, as if we have all the time in the world.
I see several children walking through the hallways, most of them on their way out, some quickly deciding to grab something from their lockers, just because why not? I also see Mrs. De Wit walking by; she's the woman who came to get forms for Maya a few days ago.
Once we're outside, Maya takes me further away from the group of students gathering on the sports fields. She takes me aside to a quieter spot and stays there with me, no pressure, just...standing. After a few minutes, she calmly asks if I'm okay, and before I know it, I simply reply, "There was a fire at my previous school." She nods to let me know she understands, but neither she nor I pursue the matter further. It's okay. Mrs. De Wit comes by to ask if I'm okay, and Maya answers for both of us. With a gentle smile, the woman walks on to another group of students.
When I get home, I break down for the first time in months. I fall into my mother's arms and cry until there's not a tear left in my body.
- G