“The Final Normal Day”

It was March 12, 2020, another day at school for a typical seventh-grade girl. I enjoyed and succeeded in school. For the final period, I was in my favorite class, science. I began to hear the budging of school supplies leaving the black science tables and entering students’ arms. My classmates and I stood behind the metal chair pushed in under the table and watched as the arms of the clock moved so slowly until they aligned precisely at 2:18 PM. As soon as we heard the high-pitched speaking coming from the speakers, we dashed out of our classrooms and sped to our lockers. I looked down at the ground and watched myself drag my feet along the school hallway. With an empty stomach and tired eyes, I was ready to go home. I heard the distinctive sound coming from students' sneakers gripping against the floor. I felt my sweaty hands clutching my folders and binders. I smelt the sweet fragrance coming from students' papers in their arms. I saw groups of pupils putting one foot in front of another dashing through the hallways. Everything was custom… until it wasn’t. 

The school went silent when we heard a sharp beep coming from the speakers which would unknowingly change our lives forever. I looked around the hallway to find everyone else just as astonished as I was. Friends whispered among each other interested in what awaited, while I stood alone with my hands at my sides. I had so many questions that I couldn't put into words. Suddenly, I became overwhelmed with the many thoughts that began flooding my mind.

“Will we have a day off?”

“Will my test move be moved?”

“Maybe I can have a sleepover.”

“No homework for the weekend?”

Not one pessimistic thought entered my head as I stood at that moment.

“Excuse the interruption. Tomorrow, Friday, March 13th, we will have no school. The day will be used for sanitary cleaning. Thank you.”

My jaw dropped and my eyebrows rose. I smiled, and subtly celebrated by clenching my fist and drawing it down to my chest. The school went berserk. Children's faces lit up with glee. Clapping and cheers of excitement inundated the halls. Classmates shoved the heavy blue doors open, bringing in a breeze of fresh spring air that soothed my exhilaration for what was yet to come. I rushed to my locker to pack up my belongings as my hair blew out of my face and legs strode through the halls. I got to my locker and placed my feet, shoulder-width apart, in front of the bright blue metal door. I stared at my lock, making sure to not botch up my combination. 

“Zero, zero, thirty-two, twenty-four.” I mumbled to myself.

I watched as my dirty hands, covered in markers and pens, moved so quickly and rapidly. My knuckles bent at just the right seconds to effectively crack open my blue Master Lock. I packed up my belongings faster than I have ever done, carelessly throwing my books and folders into my backpack and zipping it up. I threw my backpack over my shoulder and slipped it on. I was extremely thrilled about the three-day weekend and couldn't wait for the fun to begin. This is the last memory where I found the Coronavirus something to be excited about.

The weekend passed and Monday was around the corner. More and more news spread about the virus which caused my nails to be bitten down out of unease. A new term called “social distancing” was heard left and right and groups larger than ten people were prohibited. 

“Hey Lia, why don’t we go to the Kensico Dam for a walk and get some fresh air.” my mom asserted.

“Sure, that sounds good.”, I replied.

As we were there, my mom and I began walking around the dirty stone pavement surrounding a vibrant green patch of grass. The warm breeze blew into my face which confronted me. Soon later, a buzzing sound came from my mom's pocket, leaving a shocked look on her face. Her hand reached into her pocket and grabbed out her cell phone. Her fingers progressed up and down as she quickly entered her password. My eyes dilated as I closely watched her every move. She then had a stunned look on her face and her skin went pale.

“Oh my gosh.” My mom exclaimed.

“What?”

“I just received an email stating that you have no school for two more weeks and virtual learning begins on Wednesday, March 18th.”

From that day on, more emails and updates began to flood the internet. Four months went by without any social interaction at all. Everything was surreal.

I look back on this moment and reflect. My life changed in an instant like I never thought it would. Although this situation brought me many dismissive matters, I speak not to disprove that I took many beneficial traits out of it. Even more than two years later, I constantly remind myself to never take anything for granted and to live within the moment. I learned how to be independent and not rely on my peers for everything. And most importantly, I grasped the knowledge of how to be grateful, as your whole life can change due to one school announcement.