Reprinted with permission of The Cross Timbers Gazette and Flower Mound Leader.

There have been so many times that I’ve sat in a dull classroom wishing for it to be summer, to have a miraculous snow day in Texas, or to be sick. But, here I am praying school reopens in a few weeks. Even when we knew of the possibility that our spring break could be lengthened because of COVID-19, my classmates and I joked about it and wished it would happen. I take it all back. I think we all do.
Despite my desire to go back to school, I can’t even imagine sitting at a table with multiple other kids’ germs on it. It seems almost outrageous at this point. I frequently wash my hands, check the news too much, and abide by the social distancing standards. Adults tell me that my National Honor Society induction is canceled and my summer job might be too. I’m beginning to see my future crumble and I feel like I’m powerless to change it. My parents tell me everything is fine but then they whisper the news headlines to each other. How am I supposed to feel fine when the world is panicking?
I try to keep in touch with my friends through text, but a lot of our conversation is related to the Coronavirus. We turn to each other in confidence and rant about our frustrations and stress. We talk about what’s been canceled: school, prom, dates, vacations, and even church. We struggle to watch our fragile romantic relationships deteriorate with the uncertainty and lack of social interactions. Most importantly, when we get bored out of our minds or need a break from our families, we confide in each other. Two weeks ago, I never would have guessed that I would be upset about canceling school.
I now spend every waking hour with my family, so even the best of relationships can get tense. When the emotional temperature starts to rise, I take a walk around my neighborhood. It’s relaxing and peaceful to spend time outdoors. I have never wanted a driver’s license so much; the idea of just driving away, even if only for half an hour, sounds glorious. My parents made a list of chores we will get done during this “gift of time” and it keeps my siblings and I busy for a few hours each day. When we finish these chores, we watch retro episodes of Boy Meets World. I think we all just need a lighthearted distraction from our Coronavirus concerns.
I’m trying to make the most of my time, even during this bizarre situation. I’m deep cleaning my house, studying for the ACT exam, reading classic literature, and listening to new music. I’m taking this one day at a time, because the news is changing that quickly too. I am hopeful that when I reflect on this chapter of my history, I won’t be embarrassed by how I responded to this crisis. I want to be able to say that I was optimistic in the face of a worldwide pandemic, helped flatten the curve, and made the most of my time while confined to my home.