Gym Class

by Sadie, Grade 6

Gym Class. Step into a cold room

Loud footsteps pounding on a polished floor

Screams and shouts pierce the air

Pale lights blur my eyes

As I step into the locker room

And breathe the scent of dried sweat

Muscles strained and bent

As I lie on the hard wood

Names are called out

And classmates groan

Shivering and sweating

As my heart pounds loud

Clock is set and the whistle blows

Feet rush forward as a ball spins

Through the air and into eager hands

The screech of sneakers cloud my focus

Swish!

Breathing quickens, my side starts to ache

More screaming and shouting

Laughing and jeering

Untied laces trip me

And I stumble to the ground

No teammate’s hand offers helpfulness

So I stand up on my own, fighting tears

The clock ticks by slowly

Swish!

And the timer blares

Moving sluggishly

New faces come into focus

And the whistle blows once again

More sneakers screeching

Pounding of the ball on the court

Legs aching

Throat burning like fire

Swish!

Cries of celebration ring through the room

As my eyes stay glued to the clock

30 minutes seems like an eternity

Unexpectedly, a ball whizzes into my hands

Orange and leathery

Heavy in my weak grasp

Mind goes blank and muscles freeze

Teammates scramble for my attention

Stolen from my grasp as quick as lightning

Ball bouncing across the court

Swish!

Complaints and groans flood my ears

And the timer blares once again

Relief washes over me

As I make my way to the bleachers

Eying the clock’s every tick

And the timer sounds for the last time

Rush to the locker room

A storm of people at my heels

As I finally leave Gym class.