Ever wondered what it’s like growing up in a pandemic? It was my first day of 6th grade when the covid- 19 pandemic began. I remember my first day was a Monday, and the sky was covered with dark colored clouds.  There was a strong breeze. 

I was with my mom walking down this deserted hallway. When we got to the classroom, I remember seeing all these unfamiliar faces looking at me with masks on. There was a hand sanitizer on every surface. 

I could smell all the cleaning products, the lemony smell of the Clorox wipes and the artificial lavender smell from the Lysol spray. I could hear the clock ticking and the sound of all the air purifiers whispering in the background. Then I felt my moms hand pushing me into the class. 

I remember feeling so worried. Worried that I would have no friends, worried that these people at this school would be smarter than me and would cause me to fall behind. I mean afterall I was at a new school, and there were bound to be kids I didn’t know.  I sat in the front of the class so I really couldn’t look around without turning around. 

After the first hour and a half of learning we had recesses. That’s when I saw my best friend from kindergarten, Kaile. Kaile was a girl I met in kindergarten, she and I were best friends until she had to leave in 5th grade. She went to Honokaa Intermediate while I stayed in the small school of Paauilo. When I saw Kaile at school I realized that maybe this wouldn’t be so bad   – the whole new school thing. So for the next month I hung around with Kaile. 

One day Kaile didn’t come to class. Now, thinking back, it wasn’t so bad. But I am a very dramatic kid. 

Lunch came up and I walked past the other 6th grade class. I saw this boy (I’m going to call him Jeremy), he had gone to Paauilo school too and I had a huge crush on this boy. Now six years later, here he was. I remember wanting to curl into a ball and hide in a cabinet. I was so embarrassed. When he saw me I could tell he was surprised because his eyes got wide and his mouth dropped open. 

After that embarrassing event,  recess came rolling around, I sat with my teacher Mrs. Cootey because I was not feeling very confident. I wholeheartedly wanted to go home, but Mrs. Cootey urged

me to go play with the other kids. I did know some people such as Kua’aina and Monica, but I still didn’t want to hang out with them because I thought it was weird.

 My amazing teacher told me (more like pushed me) to go play with this girl Waioleka. Now she and I were not besties or anything. I wouldn’t even say friends but more like acquaintances. She and I played soccer together. Then Aina and Monica came to play with us and it was really fun!! I learned that day that it’s really good to get out of your comfort zone.