Page 3 - By Any Other Name Fall 2018

Fall 2018 Page 2
My Evening Treat The sweat makes my shirt stick to my torso, as every turn
and twist of my body feels a little bit more strained. Just
By Anya Mascarenhas, Grade 11 as I feel an energy depletion, a gust of wind knocks the
life back into me and provides the opportune push I need.
The cool, crisp air creeps up my body as I begin my I reach my turning back point and make the monumental
journey of happiness. Leaving the large door to my shelter loop around the shrubbery in the middle of the dead end.
behind, I venture out into the mysterious darkness under The serene and untouched beauty in this centerpiece on
the stars. I delve deeper into the night each second. Right the road not only marks my gains but is a symbol for what
turn, left turn, big hill, small hill. My feet hit the ground with lies ahead. As I pass it, I leave behind the struggles I
such force on every stride, as my hands gently brush my overcame up until that point and look forward to what I will
sides going back and forth. “Keep your hands open,” my accomplish later on. I suddenly realize that my eyes are
mom always says. Her voice transforms into a melody sing- wandering, and I bring them back to their straightforward
ing on and on in the back of my mind, yet her voice is soon position immediately. Splash! My feet hit a small puddle
silenced by the blaring music just before I orient my eyes back
emanating out of my Beats. The into place. The water does not en-
upbeat tunes are the keys to my ter my shoes, though, and for that,
vault of persistence. They keep I am eternally grateful.
me moving farther into the trail, My legs begin to burn as the feat
and I soon find myself engulfed in I took on becomes harder to ac-
the mysteries of nature. One foot complish. The concrete becomes
in front of the other, each step be- uneven on this part, as I struggle
coming a small ingredient in the to find the right footing. My feet slip
mixture of feelings that I experi- and slide on the sprinkler-affected
ence during my activity. All the sidewalk, but thankfully, I come out
stresses in my mind seem to es- unscathed. The tiny houses on this
cape me for these thirty minutes, last part of the trail are illuminated
as I gladly forget all aspects of by beacons of light which are lined
reality. up along the street. These beams
The whistling of the trees of brightness become fitting com-
becomes an ominous hymn in panions to the buds lying in the sky.
the forest around me. Fortu- I can see my street coming closer
nately, I only hear these gloomy to me, and joy fills up my heart. I
sounds during the few seconds shift into a different gear in this sec-
during my song changes. The (Above) Succulent, Sarah Steadman, Grade 10, Water tion, giving it all I have got. I can
bright halos up in the sky prove Color. feel the rain of sweat falling down
to be guardians for me because my face as my breathing becomes
they light my path. I feel composed throughout this period harder and louder. My phone’s volume button is pumped
of time knowing that every move of mine is under a spot- more and more, and my mind has a million thoughts
light. The occasional bird call will infiltrate my headphones, running through it. My desire to reach the end becomes
causing me to momentarily feel a rush of anxiety. Although, stronger, and I feel it take ahold of me. This last push
this feeling quickly passes as I remember that I am in a will help me stay conditioned for my practices. This last
safe neighborhood withwatchful eyes all around. The tiny push will put me back on the state-qualifying track relay
onlookers embedded into every house mark the trail I run, team. This push will determine how I approach every situ-
ensuring that my safety is prioritized. I notice the leaves ation in my life. I will need this drive and focus to get me
on the trees moving with the wind as if they are dancing to through not only my runs but the rest of my high school
the music entering my ears. I see the cars rolling into their career.
driveways like bugs going back into their nests. The stares I hit the finish line, represented by my prestigious
I receive as they crawl out of their cars is unforgettable: a mailbox which is waiting patiently for my arrival. I begin
mixture of a startled expression and look of disapproval. I to decelerate, inching into my driveway and beginning my
erase these images from my mind, though, to prevent them cool down. It takes me a second to catch my breath, but
from taking away my pleasure during this release of endor- the powerful waves of exhaustion inside of me are val-
phins. iantly thwarted by a cold glass of water. Putting on my
I continue on in my endeavor, ten minutes down medal of honor, or towel as some may like to call it, I know
and twenty minutes to go. I can feel my hair tie begin to slip, my hard work was all worth it. A warm bath awaits me
as my sleek and strong black hair pulls it down with all of its and I eagerly wait until I can have my next evening treat
might. With the will to keep going, my pace becomes faster before bed.
and my legs begin to feel the cost of my increased speed.