Side of Myself

7:00 AM my eyes small and tight a soft shuffle into the bathroom distorted and jaded, a half frown on my face a dog-tired grunt serves as my good morning 8:00 AM my consciousness brings stress, anxiety a checklist in my head I can never seem to check off all the boxes a smile locks my lips together, I must hide my agitation 8:20 AM the school bell mutes me I must concentrate. No talking, No laughing, No districations my ring finger purple and bruised, I always write to hard teachers pet, try-hard I must keep the holy 4.0 Lunch a break time has never tasted so savory the strings unwinds, my body loose my laughter overpowers my strain until I am muted yet again I have to get to class 3:30 PM my golden hour I am free my stress and smarts stripped away I am young I feel love my voice raises, my confidence grows where judgement is prohibited 9:30 PM my brain starts to settle check 1, 2, 3 is all my homework done? Is my alarm set? and I’m ready to do it all again.