Recently, my school was on all the major news channels in my area. No, not to glorify our outstanding band, or even to hear our principal ramble on about our "excellent learning program". My fellow whyvillians, I am truly pained to say that we were on the news because we were under suspicion of a student with a weapon.
It was 2:00, only ten minutes away from the final bell to ring when the announcements blared through the entire school: "Teachers and students may I please have your undivided attention . . . " No one payed any mind to this, we all kept chatting away at our way-too-important conversations. "We are now on LOCK DOWN. Teachers, you know what to do." These last few words certainly snapped us to reality. Everyone quit with their last bit of gossip and cowered in corners and under desks. My teacher hurried to lock the door and flip the light switch. We all sat in complete silence, not knowing what to do, staring at each other through the darkness. I looked over at my friend's tear-streaked face while she glanced through the windows at the helicopters whirring overhead.
I was in utter shock. Sure, I've heard of things like this before --the whole Virginia Tech debacle -- but I never expected it to happen to me. I literally feared for mine and my friends' lives. Luckily for us, we were on the third floor, and the alleged shooter was on the first, but there were still people down there. I tried not to think the worst of our situation while I remained in my tight ball in the corner.
About five minutes later, my classmates, including myself, began to receive worried phone calls from our parents who were watching from their televisions at home. From what my mom told me, our whole school was surrounded with police cars, ambulances, helicopters and news reporters. I could hear worry and fear lingering in every word she spoke. I tried to keep her and myself calm with words such as "Everything's going to be okay," and "We're all fine." I didn't really believe it at the time, but I just wanted my mom to calm down.
Another thirty minutes passed and we were still inside our classes, waiting for some kind of announcement, letting us know that everything was okay, and it's safe to come out. I still hadn't heard any gun shots, so I figured we really were going to be okay.
Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, the announcements came back on "Teachers and students, under the police departments orders, it is okay to start dismissing now. I will dismiss by floor, it is very important that you follow these directions." We all let out a sigh of relief as we were released to get onto the buses.
Chaos erupted as everyone burst out of their classes to hurry down the stairs to their buses -- no one wanted to take the risk of walking too slow.
I am sincerely relieved and joyful that no one got hurt, and we were all able to get out safely. This just goes to show that you should never take things for granted. While I was curled up in my Algebra class, so many thoughts raced through my mind such as "I didn't even hug my mom before I left the house," and " I really should have apologized to Jessie."
You never know when this could be your last day, so make the best of it. I'm not saying this to make you paranoid, but just for you to realize how blessed you really are to be alive right now. Live life to the fullest. Love your enemies. Laugh through your sorrows.
Going to tuck my mom in bed,
Monae929.
