Personal Narrative: Octavia As A Student At Arrowsmith High School

The cool fall air brought light goose bumps to my arms. Still a bit bothered by the cold, I took my long brown hair out of its usual ponytail and let it spread out across my back, warming my in the slightest. I rubbed my arms absentmindedly, looking around for Octavia. We always met here, on the metal bleachers, which rose above the green football field, waiting until the practice was over and Jake could drive us home. When I realized that she wasn’t anywhere near me, I turned my attention to the players on the field. The football team this year is supposed to be amazing, at least, from what I have been told and from what I have seen. Basically every student at Arrowsmith High School’s life revolved around football, or so it seemed. It
Octavia was my best friend, or you could say, one of my only friends. She sat down next to me and sighed. “I really think that this time I failed my math test, Em…” she said sadly. I looked at Octavia and said sternly, “Octavia, for the last time you didn’t fail your math test, or any other test for that matter. You’re the smartest person in our grade, probably even the school. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” “I know, I know… but I can’t help but stress out.” She replied, pushing her rimmed black glasses up her nose. We sat in silence for about ten minutes, watching the practice. I observed the player’s agility and strength. They mesmerized me, how every play was set up in the same way and the rhythm at how the players seemed to practice. I was surprised that I hadn’t realized this before. My eyes were trained on one player. I squinted, trying to recognize him. At the end of the practice, when all the players took off their helmets, he looked unfamiliar. Huh. I thought. I know, or know of almost everyone in this grade. How come I don’t recognize him? Suddenly hit with a strange urge to get to know him better, an idea popped into my head. “Hey, Octavia,” I said, “how about we go to the game tonight?” Octavia stared at me in shock; I had never expressed an interest in any social events, much less football games. “Yeah, it’ll be fun!” I said excitedly. “Okay… if you say so Em…” Octavia said, unsure. Octavia wasn’t the biggest fan of the games either, and, aside from the fact that our other best friend played football, knew about as much about it as I did. Jake called up to us, “Hey guys! Are you ready?” “Yep!” we shouted back. Octavia and I made our way down the bleachers to meet Jake at the big yellow thing that was shaped like a “Y” at the end of the field. “Ready?” Jake asked again, once we were beside him. We drove home, all of us tired after a long day filled with learning.