SOL

Going to bed early, waking up late, having a cough, tickling in your throat, stuffy noses, runny noses, naval pressure, stuffy ears, felling like someone is pushing on your eyes, fever, a normal cold usually has one maybe two of these things, but NOOO, mine had to be the one with every single one.

I go to bed early, wake up late, I have a nasty cough due to the tickling in my throat, my nose is so stuffed I can't get to bed that well, and my nose is runny, I have so much naval pressure that I have stuffy ears and I can't pop them, and my eyes hurt so bad I can't move them and I have to keep my head straight where ever I go, and my fever is 103. GOD! I hate it.

The worst part is almost going to bed and then realizing your SOL was due 5 hours ago.

SOL #5040000004.2.2.2.2...2..2

"ALRIGHT!" The starting man yelled, "I 'M GOING TO YELL READY, SET AND THEN BLOW THIS AIR HORN!" 

We get it, we get it! I thought. I was standing two inches behind Ethan. My face right up against his back. My chest pounding, my feet ready to move. I'm too anxious.  GOD!

 I start sweating even though we haven't started to run yet. 

"READY!" I've been to too many of these things. I should be more calm!

"SET!" Calm Max be calm. Breath. In, Out. In, Out. 

I hear the horn blow and I just start running. The pounding in my chest went away, and I just started running.

Snowshoeing (I have no idea how to spell that) Slice

     I stand up and brush the white powder off of my shirt. As I'm about to look up I feel contact and arms wrap around my body. I fall back into the snow, looking up I see Eddie smiling, getting back up and taking down Nate. My neck and my wrists are freezing, but I don't care this is too much fun.

     My eyes dart back and forth trying to scope out the easiest target and at the same time staying hyper aware with a wide stance. I see Gavin coming at me, I step out of the way and let him fall into the snow. I run at Kenny trying to stay out of his sight. Before I can get to him Max tackles me from my side taking me to the ground. 

    I grab Nate from behind trying to shove him on the ground. He turns around so I am now on the bottom about to fall. I gather up my strength. Twist my body and shove him onto the ground. 

    Tackling is so much fun.

SOL # i have no idea

I walked into the black room my parents by my side I scanned the room. Some people looked familiar, but some people weren't there a month ago. I sat down at the yellow covered table. Still quiet, still embarrassed. I became aware of my whole body feeling out of place. I put my hands in my lap and waited for it to start.

An hour and a half later they called my name.

"Our third place winner for the 8th graders, Max Van Sickle with his story Down The Barrel." My cheeks went red as soon as these strangers started clapping for me. I stood up, smiling. I walked down between the table for towards the people holding the certificate and my prize. I kept my eyes a little to the left of her, I didn't want to look at anyone. I shook her hand and I felt a lot better.