On The First Day

standing in the crowded hall 
my 6th grade self frantically searching for a teacher
to help un-jam her locker
everyone’s in classrooms
she is still roaming halls
lost
looking
siren of bells  jarring, repetitive, screeches in her ears

thinking of a fun fact makes her feel like a bore
why does the whole class have to know her favorite color?
zoning out
thinking about splashing in ocean waves
watching clock
tick tock, tick tock
only bell she likes is the one signaling the end of day
see you tomorrow all upbeat teachers say
her head drops
and she moves on