Category Archives: Creative Writing

The Stigma Around Mental Health in Athletes

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Sage Joyce ’27

“Pressure is a privilege” (Virgil Van Dijk). Student athletes are often expected to be strong, both physically and mentally. While time management, working well under pressure, and teamwork are all great qualities student-athletes build over time, what is not talked about is the overwhelming struggle to balance their school, sports, and home life. The stigma surrounding mental health in athletes is caused by the idea that all athletes have this type of “mental toughness”, where they are “weak” and “powerless” if they seek help for their problems. While this is not true at all, people still perceive that this is the case when it comes to mental health surrounding your sport. The unique challenges that athletes face can lead to poor mental health when not taken care of right away, whether it’s burnout, injuries, or needing to be the best, every game and every practice. 

Injuries can have a major impact on an athlete not only physically, but also mentally. Many athletes define themselves through their sports, so getting that taken away from you can lead to feeling frustration, anxiety, and eventually lead to depression. Depending on the injury, the recovery process can be uncertain and take a very long time, leading athletes to have to quit the thing that has brought them the most joy since they were kids. Without support, injuries can make athletes feel isolated and disconnected from the world around them, and in Morgan Rodgers case, it can lead to death by suicide. 

Morgan played lacrosse at Duke University. During her freshman year, she suffered a knee injury that required surgery and a long recovery. While she worked to return to her sport, she began dealing with intense emotional struggles, including feeling of being isolated from her team and losing part of her identity as an athlete. Even though she appeared strong on the outside, Morgan was battling internally. In 2019, she died by suicide, which deeply impacted her family, teammates, and the lacrosse community.

After her death, her family started Morgan’s Message to raise awareness about mental health in student athletes and to break the stigma that prevents many from asking for help. Morgan’s Message is a charitable organization that strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics. In the Morgan’s Message community, we aim to expand the dialogue on mental health by normalizing conversations, empowering those who suffer in silence, and supporting those who feel alone. 

Going into the 2025/2026 school year, I was dedicated to bringing Morgan’s Message to the Hebron Academy campus. I had been in Morgan’s Message clubs in my previous schools, and, since our school is made up of student athletes, I thought it would be a great opportunity. In Morgan’s Message, we learn how to recognize signs of mental health struggles in ourselves and others, and how to respond in a supportive, respectful way. It also focuses a lot on open conversation, so club members can gain confidence in talking about topics that people usually avoid. This helps show the importance of support systems and how teammates, friends, and coaches can make a big difference on one’s mental health. Lastly, we develop leadership and advocacy skills by organizing events (hopefully dedication games to come!), spreading awareness, and creating a more positive Lumberjack culture. Overall, it teaches athletes that they are more than just athletes.

Between The Laces

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Addie Lydon ’26

For years, I outgrew pair after pair of skates. Their leather became thin and broken-in, and the laces embedded into the boots. They were never new or shiny, but each pair was mine and had been through a lot with me.

I didn’t just learn to skate in them; I was raised in them. My schedule, my friendships, even my family dynamic revolved around hockey. Weeknights were for practice. Weekends were for games. Holidays were for traveling. Our car always smelled faintly of damp gear, and our family arguments often started or ended in a rink parking lot. It was a rhythm I knew by heart.

And then it ended.

Abruptly, I woke up with my coach over me.
“Addie, are you okay?”

I didn’t know what was going on, but I did know those lights were giving me a headache. As I got off the ice, the athletic trainer looked at me with disappointment. I knew this was my last time on the ice. I knew I was about to go into weeks of dizziness, nausea, and an aversion to light. What I also knew was that this was going to be my fourth and final concussion.

I had to untie those laces and rip off the skates as quickly as they went on. I would never wear those skates—or any skates—again. I would never feel the crease under my blades, never shuffle or t-push across the ice.

Without my skates on, I couldn’t help but feel like I was wearing my shoes untied. No direction. No identity. Just… lost.

And that loss didn’t stay on the ice. It followed me everywhere.
The routine that had once structured my life was gone, and without it, everything felt unsteady. I struggled to find motivation, to feel like myself, to understand who I was without the one thing that had always defined me. What I had lost wasn’t just a sport, it was my outlet, my stability, and a huge part of my identity.

There were moments when it felt like I was stuck there, in that in-between, no longer the person I had been, but not yet someone new.

I hit a low point. I kept trying to fill the space hockey had left by overloading my schedule, hoping staying busy would make things feel normal again. But instead, I would burn out, lose motivation, and feel even more stuck. I didn’t fully understand what I was feeling or how to handle it. It wasn’t until I went home to recover from the concussion and had a real, honest conversation with my dad that I realized I wasn’t “ok” and something needed to change. That moment made it clear that I couldn’t keep going the way I had been, not just for myself, but for the people who cared about me: my parents, my siblings, Mrs Nadeau and everyone that was silently supporting me. 

So slowly, things began to shift.

I began to realize that those worn-out skates didn’t define me, and neither did the sport. I started helping the school’s social media. Designing posts, telling stories, and finding ways to make people feel connected gave me the same kind of spark hockey once had. I found new laces. I realized I wasn’t losing a team, I was just becoming part of a different one. I joined a club, Girl Up, that I now lead. I found my love for leading in my community as being elected Vice President. I had never seen myself becoming involved in leadership roles, but now they are my passion. I learned to retie those laces.

I also began noticing relationships I had once overlooked. My advisor became more than just someone who asked me how my day was; she became a mentor I went to about everything in my life. She helped me through the moments when things still felt heavy, when I wasn’t sure I was fully okay yet. She helped me tighten my new laces. My boss, who held me accountable but also reminded me to enjoy the workspace, showed me that leadership doesn’t always mean being the loudest voice, but often the most dependable one. She helped me start to loop those laces. Those relationships helped me realize I wasn’t as alone as I thought—I just had to look up from the ice to see them.

And while hockey wasn’t a part of my daily routine anymore, the lessons it taught me stayed. The dedication I brought to every practice carried over into new passions, and the teamwork I learned helped me support people in new ways. I made my first knot in those laces. 

There was so much more to my life—things I had been missing—because I was hyperfocused on lacing up those skates. I finally was able to tie the new laces I had found.

Letting go of hockey wasn’t easy. It was messy, and at times, it felt like I was losing more than I could handle. But in doing so, I made space for something even more important: growth. I didn’t lose myself; I fought to find myself again. I uncovered parts of me that had been waiting all along.

I Have A Dream, Too

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Sammy Baymont ’28

I have a dream, a dream that is in the cold ice rinks of my city, Montreal. I have a dream that hockey is for every kid who wants to play this game, not just a certain group of people or come from a certain background. Hockey is a big part of where I’m from, but sometimes the people that run it forgets the values it is supposed to teach, like fairness, respect, etc….

At a young age, discrimination in hockey started early for me .. Some kids like me got less ice time because of their last name, their accent, or how much money their dad had. Others are judged by their size or the color of their skin before they even get a real chance to show how much their talent really is. Coaches don’t always mean to do this, but the damage still happens more than people think. Kids start to feel invisible, and in a lot of cases lose the love of the game they always had. Even for me, it only took one coach and I almost stopped playing.

I have a dream that one day in Montreal and everywhere in the world, every hockey player will be judged by their effort and talent, not by stereotypes. I have a dream that coaches will look past what parents and other people have to offer to them and see true potential. I have a dream that locker rooms will be places full of kids that actually deserve their spots. Hockey should be like a breakaway, where everyone moves forward the right way the way it should be, passing the puck, trusting each other.

Discrimination in youth hockey is like bad ice. You can still skate on it, but at one point, someone will fall. When kids quit hockey because they feel unwanted, the sport loses more than players, it loses some of their best players for stupid reasons. Hockey should build confidence, not break it down. It should be a place where kids learn how to stand up after they fall, not a place where they are pushed down by things that they don’t have control over because of people above them.

I want to be part of the change since I was a victim of unfairness . I want to speak up when I see unfair treatment by being a coach. I want to support kids who are treated differently and remind them that they deserve to be there. One day, I hope to help young talents from minorities to  make sure everyone gets a fair chance like I always wished I had, even if they are not the best right away. Growth takes time, just like everything else in life.

I have a dream too, that hockey in Montreal will become a better sport where everyone feels welcome and at their place. I have a dream that the rinks in my town will belong to every kid, no matter who they are and where they come from. Until that dream becomes real, I will keep believing, keep trying, and keep skating forward for every kid that didn’t get to accomplish their dream, I’ll do it for them.

I Have A Dream, Too

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Aiden Hong ’28

I have a dream of a society where people can choose what they actually want to do with their lives. Not what they are forced to do or not what others expect them to do, but what they truly want. I believe that many people today are kind of pushed into the paths they never chose. Sometimes this pressure does not just come from the other person, it comes from society itself. When we think about being forced, we usually think about parents, teachers, or people who influence you in your life. However society we’re living in also forces people through stereotypes, and expectations without us noticing. We are always told what success should look like and what kind of life is considered good. These ideas affect people’s choices, even when they do not notice it. Over time people stop thinking about what they really want and start thinking about what they are supposed to want. I have a dream where people are not judged for choosing a different path. I have a dream where someone can say “this is what I want to do” without being questioned or judged. I have a dream where students are not pressured into careers they do not enjoy just because those jobs make money. Everyone has different strengths, and everyone deserves the chance to find out what they truly want. Living in society can feel like being stuck on a path that was already formed by other people. Once you start noticing that, you are expected to do things you don’t want to do, even if you feel not happy or not sure. If you try to think differently than that, people may think you are weird, not suited for society. My dream is a society where choosing different things is not seen as wrong, but as uniqueness. Life should not be about following one rule or one person’s path. Stereotypes make this pressure even stronger. They tell people how they should act, what they should like, and who they should become. These ideas can limit people and make them hide parts of themselves. When people feel like they can’t be themselves, they lose confidence and feel trapped in someone else’s expectations. I believe a better society is one that gives people freedom instead of a decided path. A society that supports choices instead of controlling them. People do not need to agree with every decision, but they should see them as just different opinions. I have a dream of a world where people are free from stereotypes and expectations, and free to live on their own. This is my dream, and I believe it can be possible.

I Have A Dream, Too

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Rita Franco ’28

I am happy to join you today in what will go down in history as the event that changes
the whole world’s perspective of outcasts, known as homeless by society.
Our nation, even the whole planet, has evolved and grown over the last hundreds of
years, while the vagrants remain untouched. Every block or street contains a
disrespected human, seen as inferior and spitted at. People pass by without bothering,
or afraid to look down and meet with the eyes of a dirty face, feeling a few seconds
uncomfortable because they do not want to empty their pockets on someone that is
placed below them in the social pyramid. The best of these people might even throw
them a few pennies, thinking that for today they have done enough to be good under
God’s eyes, but they are not much better than the privileged that do not dare to feel
the existence of these lonely souls under their feet. Kindness is not giving; it is
teaching.


After hundreds of years of poverty, we still do not learn. After hundreds of years of
poverty, we still do not care. After hundreds of years of poverty, these down-and-outs
still have to feel ashamed of their conditions. After hundreds of years of poverty,
homeless people are still languishing in the corners of society, hiding behind the
shadows to not bother other people’s eyes. After hundreds of years of poverty, they
still do not learn, why? Because we do not teach them.
In a sense, we found a starving bear in the woods. Afraid but also compassionate, we
feed him with what we can find, and the bear feels satisfied, but that fish that we just
gave him will not feed him for long. Everyday we keep feeding the bear, thinking that
we are doing him a favour, confident that he will grow and turn into a strong,
independent bear, but no, that does not happen. The bear grows being dependent on
us; it cannot walk or eat without our help, but we can not do much more. We are
running out of fish, we are running out of energy, we are running out of life.
After our death, the bear dies a couple of days after, starving until its last gasp. Why?
Why did the bear die if we fed him? Because we gave him food while we should have
taught him how to hunt. At the end, nothing changed; years passed, but the bear still
starved. Back to the day when we first gave him that fish, we should have taught him
how to hunt it instead of destroying its life and our own life. Back to the day when we
first met him, we should have given him the recipe of success instead of the well
cooked fresh tuna.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and
tribulations. I understand that after the sacrifice that you have made to be able to
stand here next to me, you are not willing to listen to children’s tales; however, this is
not a simple tale. This has a moral, a lesson, and a big truth behind it. In this modest
chair, I stand here today to ask all of you, my brothers and sisters, to stop ignoring it
and to make a change today. If we all get together and help, teach, and give these
people of no fixed abode a ladder to climb out instead of a shovel to bury themselves
deeper in, we can change their lives and our lives. I do not ask for much. If you do not
own a ladder to share, you can always give them a smile or a conversation to remind
them that they are not less. To build a smile on their faces.


Please… help me achieve this dream!

I Have A Dream, Too…

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Nasiba Kharoti ’28

I have a dream that someday people wouldn’t have to run away because a stranger is taking over their homes. I wish that someday, children wouldn’t have to run away from childhood to adulthood because they’re not offered the same opportunities as other children. I wish that someday, people would understand that taking somebody’s home is something very bitter rather than sweet. I wish that someday, people wouldn’t be scared of going back to their homes just because they are scared of death.  

The world has been so unfair for decades and the only thing that  a human being wouldn’t stop wanting is MORE and MORE. Nobody in this world is in a rush for anything more than humans. We are just as unthankful as the cold breeze of the winter. Our hearts are full of so much hatred toward each other that if it could coral up into a ball, we wouldn’t be able to kick it because of how massive it could be. On the other hand, so many people have died and so many people have lost their homes but it seems like we can’t get enough of each other’s suffering.  I wish that someday people would stop and take it slow from there. I hope that everyone could realize just how hard it is to lose yourself just to get what others already have. I got so many dreams and I got everything I wanted, but not in a way that I wanted. I hope that people aren’t judging based on gender, color, nationality, ethnicity, language, situation, history, mistakes,  physical appearance, and personal life choices. 

I wish that someday people wouldn’t have to fight hard for what they want or already deserve. People think that we have come a long way for building, educating, creating, inventing, and making it so easy with technology but what they are missing on is the pursuit of life. I hope that people will stop chasing and try to be more interested in becoming each other’s happiness. I hope that everyone would be grateful for what they have rather than wanting more from people that they have got no business with. I just don’t understand how people could want more than what they already have and to have the feeling of enjoying somebody else’s sadness or suffering is just so wild. The only thing that I have always heard my whole life is “freedom” which my people don’t own even though they have never wanted more than what they had. I am very grateful for what I have but I don’t call this freedom or chasing dreams because the only dream that I have is to have a peaceful life for my people and I. 

I have a dream that the world would become a brighter place and more welcoming. The problem that we have to this day is the fact that we live in such a dark world that the children want happiness, adults want more and elderly want another chance to live. I hope that one day people would realize that the world is not about competitions or reputations but it’s about how happy you are for yourself and someone else that you don’t know. I hope that one day people would know that the world is not about power but its the simple way of living and we can all see that example in non-human creatures. I hope that some day people will stop taking away humans and non-human homes for happiness because I don’t see any joy in you taking my home and the deer doesn’t see any joy in your talent for haunting. There is no joy in making people beg for food and no joy in making women work for men because she is a woman. There is no joy in making a woman not have the right to attend school just because she is a woman. I have a dream that the world would change for the better and there would be a peaceful living for every individual.  

Three Songs That Changed My Summer

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Kellen Anthoine ’26

Music is something that influences our wellbeing much more than we realize. It has been scientifically proven that the tempo, timbre, lyrics, pitch, and key of the songs we listen to significantly influence our mood. Our mood influences our thoughts, and our thoughts influence our actions. Therefore, it is critical to be aware of the effect your choice of music has on you. Personally, my choice of music in the past has negatively impacted my life. I have listened to dark, depressing songs that cover pessimistic topics for far too long. This summer, though, I consciously made a change. Here are the top three songs I listened to on repeat that made my experience more positive and how each of them impacted me differently:

3. Club Bizarre—U96

The first time I heard “Club Bizarre” by U96 was when I stayed at Artem’s house in Žilina, Slovakia in June. The first time I heard it, I was intrigued by the uniquely hopeful and uplifting synth melody, its ambient, colorful background chords, and catchy beat. When I listen to it, I feel any previous anxieties slip away. 

The first half of the song is very positive and happy, however in the middle it suddenly shifts to include a sad woodwind melody. Through this new melody, though, the beat continues. 

The instrumentals of this song resonate with me deeply, helping me to remember the dualistic nature of life. The contrast between the first half and second half, yet the constantly returning beat, reminds me that life has ups and downs, success and failure, yet in its entirety is both enjoyable and meaningful. I’ve listened to “Club Bizarre” in both the good times and the bad, and it has helped me through. That’s how it impacted my summer.

2. Фраер—михаил круг

I cannot understand a single word of Фраер by михаил круг. Despite this, I know all the lyrics and pronunciations by heart because of the sheer amount of times I’ve listened to it and how much of an influence it has had on me.

I was originally introduced to this song by my close friend Nazar in 2023 when we were spending our Friday night together in Atwood listening to music and chatting with some of our other football teammates and friends. Right away, with the good memory, and its upbeatness and catchiness, it became one of my favorites.

The actual story of Фраер is about a police officer falling in love with a girl, only to later find out that she’s a criminal. This story means very little to me, however, and I don’t speak the language anyway. One would wonder, then, why I love it. The thing is: that’s why it’s so important to me. In a world full of responsibilities, pain, love, and deep thought, this song allowed me to briefly escape it into a world of positivity when I began listening to it once again this summer while Nazar stayed at my house. The instrumentals—face-paced drums, spontaneous, cheerful, diverse brass instruments, and the traditional Russian folk feel bring my mood up in a way no other song can do. That’s how Фраер made my summer just that much more positive. 

1. Free Bird—Lynyrd Skynyrd

As is obvious from the name, “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd is a song about freedom. The message is about a man who leaves his woman in pursuit of independence and travel, but much like with Фраер, this means little to me. 

I first came across this song in July when putting my Apple Music playlist on infinite mode, letting the app find similar music that it thinks I would like. Once I reached the guitar solo, I instantly knew that I would listen to it more times than I can count. It motivated me and gave me energy in a truly unique way to the point where I made it a habit to listen to it every single day on the way to work.

The reason this song resonates with me personally is because of the reminder of freedom. When I listen to it, I remember something essential: I truly am free. If I so choose, I can act however I choose as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences. This freedom isn’t about acting out my selfish desires, however. Instead, it’s about remembering that my circumstances and output are almost entirely in my control. That realization, while intimidating, is essential to living a meaningful life, and that’s why “Free Bird” made my summer all that much better. 

Spring into Fashion!

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By: Kiera Heath ’25

Snow is gone, and the grass is back here on campus! Spring has finally sprung, so say goodbye to winter coats and snow pants and say hello to our recent fashion looks on campus. Here are some popular spring looks that are seen around campus and some ideas to add to your outfit:

Now that our spring clothes are out, I’ve seen a popularity of light colors like yellows, pinks, and blues, with cool patterns. Including designs such as floral and stripes are simple to find in shirts, pants, and shoes. Some easy ways to add a pop of color to your outfit can be with accessories like earrings, a cool pair of sunglasses, a necklace or a bracelet. Why not get a pair of shoes that’s not all one shade? Add some color to your feet as well!

Another big trend in spring shirts has been babydoll tops. This is one of our blog editors herself, Casidhe! In this picture, she has a floral-pattern, light pink babydoll tank top. These kinds of shirts look super summery, fitting loosely during the perfect sunny weather and goes perfect with any outfit, adding a nice burst of light colors. 

Next, we have jeans. Yes, jeans can be worn through every season, but there are so many styles of denim. Specifically, low-rise baggy jeans or jean shorts have been a popular choice on campus. Jean shorts are definitely great for the warmer weather, and baggy jeans are a comfortable fit in this heat. And if you’re not so into jeans, why not try a jean jacket?

Lastly, an option that is perfect for spring is linen! Pants, shorts, or a blouse, linen has a loose, comfortable fit for this pretty weather. You can get these pants or button-up shirts in all kinds of patterns and colors that you can easily style. 

In the end, what you wear is all your choice. So if you’re stuck on some ideas for your spring outfits, have some fun and maybe add a bit of color or trendy patterns.

More Than a Bark

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By: Guilhermo Felis ’27

After finishing Kafka’s classic novella The Metamorphosis, World Literature students were asked to reimagine the iconic opening sentence. Guilhermo Felis’ fantastic take on Kafka’s dilemma has a message for all of us. 

When Guilhermo woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he transformed into a monstrous Golden Retriever. The sunlight warming his furry body, the missing hands replaced by paws, and the alarm ringing in the background all confirmed it: this wasn’t a dream. Panicked and sloppy, he fell out of bed, still learning to balance on four legs like a newborn. Alone in the dorm room, he tried to call for his roommate, Philip, but only a bark echoed back at him. Dizzy and confused, Guilhermo’s mind went crazy. Why me? Is this permanent? He pawed at his laptop, barely managing to email his teachers with a fake excuse: “Flu. Can’t come to class.” Just as he hit send, the door opened. It was his roommate and, without thinking, Guilhermo hid under his bed, holding his breath as Philip muttered something in Swedish about being late and rushed out, never noticing the oversized dog. 

After an hour, Guilhermo crawled out, opened the door with his snout, and, without knowing why, driven by some new instinct, he turned and lifted his leg, peeing right on his door. A strange, primal satisfaction was released and he knew that he was changing, not just in body, but in ways he could no longer fully control. He sniffed the hallway, going to doors and picking up scents that told him far more than he ever wanted to know. Who skipped class, who had food, who needed a shower. He followed it down to the bathroom, looked into the mirror, and saw himself fully: a large, golden dog with the same anxious eyes. Horrified, he rushed back to his room and curled up in bed, hoping sleep would change it. But when he woke, nothing had changed. It was lunchtime. The door opened. Philip walked in and froze. “Whose dog is this?” he said aloud. But as he stepped closer, he noticed the Brazilian jersey around the dog’s neck. His eyes widened. “No way…”

The days that followed were strange and lonely. Guilhermo stayed hidden most of the time, sneaking around the dorms and only going out when it was quiet. Philip eventually figured out that this dog was Guilhermo, but there was little they could do. Guilhermo watched from the sidelines as life moved on without him. Classes, practices, and friendships all passed through his dog’s eyes while sitting quietly. Then one morning, after a nap filled with barking and strange dreams, he opened his eyes not in his dorm, but in a sunny backyard. The air was different with warness and the smell of cut grass. He blinked in disbelief. This was his home in Brazil. And standing across from him, was his childhood dog, Zeus. Another Golden Retriever. Guilhermo stepped forward, heart sped up. Somehow, in this place, they could understand each other. “You’ve finally made it,” Zeus said, his voice calm, almost human. “I brought you here for a reason.” 

Guilhermo stared at him, stunned. “You… what? How? Why would you do this to me?” Zeus sat down in the grass, looking up at the sky. “Everyone thinks being a dog is easy. That we don’t worry, don’t stress, don’t think. But that’s not true. We feel everything, loneliness, fear, boredom. We just can’t tell anyone. You always said you wished you could be a dog, remember?” Guilhermo’s ears drooped. He had said that before. On rough school days or when the pressure got too high, he’d joke, “Man, I just wish I could be a dog: eat, sleep, play, and that’s it.” Zeus continued.“So I gave you a chance to see life from my side. You think it’s freedom, but it’s a different kind of cage. You don’t choose your schedule, your food, or even when you can go outside. You sit by the door, waiting. You sit by the window, hoping. You learn patience because you have no other choice.” Guilhermo looked down. The memory of those quiet hours at school, lying curled in his dorm, suddenly felt heavier. He hadn’t been free as a dog. “But why me?” he asked. Zeus gave a small, kind bark. “Because you needed to understand. You were starting to forget how lucky you are. To think for yourself, to learn, to speak, to dream. So I chose you to live like me. Just for a while. So you could come back grateful.” The words hit hard. Guilhermo felt tears in his eyes, even though his body couldn’t cry the same way anymore. Zeus stood and walked closer, nose to nose. “It’s time to go back now. Remember what you’ve seen. And never wish to be anything other than yourself.” 

When Guilhermo woke up the next morning, he was back in his human form. His hands, his voice, his body. Everything had returned, but his thoughts were not the same. That summer, he flew back to Brazil. The moment he stepped into the backyard, Zeus came running. They embraced, man and dog, and in that silent hug, there was no need for words.

Unsettling Dreams

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By: Emily Finch ’27

After finishing Kafka’s classic novella The Metamorphosis, World Literature students were asked to reimagine the iconic opening sentence. Emily Finch’s chilling take on Kafka’s dilemma resonates with everyone shivering through spring in New England and waiting for the summer Sun. 

When Emily woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, she found herself changed in her bed into a monstrous moth. She looked around her room, which now seemed a tinge more red and purple than before. That’s when she looked down at herself to see her body, fuzzy and gray with six separate legs tucked into it. Her wings shot out to either side spontaneously, one slamming against the wall and the other toppling various cans of sparkling water from her nightstand to the floor. She jolted, fluttered, and spurred about until she fell from her lofted bed to the clutter of clothing and random objects strewn across her floor. She stirred around the contents of her floor with her wings, sending wrappers, pencils, paper, clothing, and coins flying around to cover even more ground than before. “Stop! Stop! Stop!” she told herself, but she couldn’t keep from spiraling and spinning about. She finally was able to settle onto her legs, but she still felt the continuous unease and panic inside as she’d had. Her body still felt prickly and had a chill as always; at least some things never changed. 

It must’ve been around 8:20 a.m., the time she usually woke, because Emily’s roommate, Aiva, was absent from the small room. It was a relief to her, as she never wanted anyone to see her in such a low state. It was almost as if her feelings from the night before had multiplied tremendously and manifested in her sleep. It panicked her, but dually was a blessing as she would certainly not be attending any classes for as long as she’d be like this. She always avoided missing school no matter how badly she wanted to at times, but now she had gotten to such a state that maybe she could excuse herself until she got things together and turned back.

 Another chill tore through her body. She couldn’t stand the persistent chill, so she scampered over to Aiva’s lamp, which never turned off whether night or day. She clung to the light, trying to absorb any heat that she could, but the chill still troubled her unbearably. She scuttled to the door and fluttered her wings until she hit the handle and sent it ajar. She pushed herself out into the hallway, her wings dragging across either side of the doorframe. Crawling up along the wall to the ceiling, she sat upon every light, but none could fill the chill in her core. She began to fret in search of a cure or a solution or something to numb the chill until she came to the dorm door. 

She got a running start and spread her wings as she jumped into the door and slammed it wide open. She tumbled down the stairs, crashing against the pavement and scraping up her delicate body. That’s when she looked up to the sky and saw it: the Sun. And in that moment, she knew that her chill would persist until she flew there. She looked at her body, fuzzy and bloodied. It was at that moment she decided that, in order to free herself, she had to reach the Sun, and so, she fluttered her wings and began to fly.  

She watched as the ground fled from her, and the campus dissipated slowly. She looked up and began to flutter faster and faster, hoping to see the Sun grow bigger. From then on, Emily flew higher and higher in desperation towards the Sun, hoping maybe for enough to rid her of the chill.