Sixth Grade

The announcements went on

The teacher called out names

My friend’s name is one of them

I sat there pretending I didn’t know

why they were leaving

but of course, I knew

They should know

Gossip runs like the speed of light

My sister had already told me anyway

I walked to my next period alone

I could hear the sound of clapping as

Teachers recognized students for their hard work

No

More of for being their favorite student

I wanted to be there so bad

That’s a dream that is more like a fantasy

The end of the day came slower than usual

I knew that the “special” students had

Already left with their parents,

Certificate in their hands,

Smiles on their faces

I unlocked my phone

Five of my so-called friends

Had already texted me about getting picked

I tried to be happy for them

And I was

But by human nature

I was jealous too

Seventh Grade

It happened all over again

I tried talking to my parents

About my disappointment

They tried to encourage me

I acknowledge that

They said that if I ever

Got chosen

I could get a reward

They also told me I should

Try harder

I was, I did, and always have

No one sees it though

Because I never improve

What’s wrong with me?

Why won’t my mouth open?

Why won’t my hand lift up?

Why can’t I be as good as my sister?

Friends?

Parents?

Classmates?

I felt horrible

My sister had already gotten

Three certificates when she was in middle school

Me?

Zero

Eighth Grade

Sadly, this isn’t a

“Happily Ever After” story

I never get called

My friends complain about

How they only got 3, 4, 5

Certificates in three years

They don’t know how it feels to get 0

They tell me it’s ok

It’s not

I hate myself

I don’t want to be myself

I get why teachers hate me too

My parents tell me that my teachers

don’t hate me

It’s just that I don’t talk in class

It doesn’t help

Well, I guess no reward for me

This is a real experience that I’m still going through, I want schools to know that especially in middle school and high school, teens easily feel not accepted or liked by others. When schools have ceremonies where only certain people get picked, it makes others feel bad about themselves. One of the biggest causes of suicide is the feeling of rejection. Principles and teachers, please do something about this, just know that you can save a life.