It’s strange how one little thing can change your mood and can get you to do anything. They force you to focus and motivate you to strive towards your goals, whether big or small. They put me at peace. I thrust my hand into my pocket to snatch the white dangly strings. I unravel them in my hands as I try to untangle the knots. Finally straightened out, I plug the one end into my phone and choose which music I want. I take the two ear buds and carefully place them in my ears. It takes me to another world, away from the distractions. They put me at peace.

I walk into the rancid smelling bathroom of the varsity football locker room. I look at myself in the mirror with all my football gear on and think to myself "are you ready for this." The chills run down my back, as my anticipation to get out on the field grows. The music blares into my ears, making me not hear anything going on around me. I walk back out into the open area where my team is. They are all piled on the benches, getting mentally ready just like me. We couldn’t be any more prepared for this night. Everyone has worked their butts off for this exact moment. All the sprints, all the early mornings in the summer to lift, all the pain and soreness. This is where it pays off.

I sit in the locker room, my blue eyes focused on the shiny waxed floor. I put my head down, trying to clear it, as millions of thoughts race through my mind, but they get quickly buried by my music. Everyone looks like fluffy marshmallows as we get ready in our all white uniforms. It reeks of sweat like always. My large, but soft hands slide through my white gloves as I put them on. My earbuds dangle from my face. I push my dirty blonde hair out of the way as I get up out of my seat. I start to pace, listening to my cleats tap against the ground. I sync my footsteps with the beat to the song “Mo Bamba” by Sheck Wes. I envision all the possible outcomes that could result in the game.

Coach comes down through the tunnel and says that it's time. I take my earbuds out and carefully wrap them up and put them away. I slide my helmet on. I buckle up the straps and all the thoughts abruptly stop. I think to myself, “This is strictly business.” I have to leave everything on the field. I sort of feel lost without the rap music in my ears, but I quickly adjust to the quietness of everyone else. We all tramp up the locker room ramp and go outside for “The Walk”, where we go out to the field to stretch.