Monday, October 8th 2012:

Dad: “So high school is underway, huh? What do you think about it so far?”
I have no idea what to say to him. Honestly, I have no idea right now. History is alright. Science is downright awful. Math is going really well. It was all over the place at the moment.
Me: “Good.”
Mom: “Did you like the lunch I made for you today?”
Oh yeah, lunch isn’t going that great either. On the first day of school, I sat with a bunch of people I only sort-of know. Since then, I just sit in the library and eat while I work.
Me: “Yeah.”
Dad: “Kayzad, I saw your Biology grade on SAM. I’m not impressed.”
I pause. I knew from the second I got back that stupid test that I would be hearing about this.
Me: “I know, but I did do well on my Spanish quiz! I got a 96%!”
Dad: “That doesn’t improve your Biology grade, does it?”
I shyed away. There wasn’t anything I could say that could make him happy. He was right, though. Good thing he hasn’t seen my History test grade yet.

Tuesday, October 9th 2012:
At the dinner table we sit again after I’ve set the table. Everyone is quiet, no football game on tonight for my dad, brother, or I to talk about. Once again, my dad begins the line of questioning.
Dad: “So, what’s new boys?”
Sam: “I got an A in Math!”
Dad: “Excellent, good job Sam. What about you, Kayzad?”
Oh god. Just make something up.
Me: “Everything is going well.”
Dad: “What about those grades in Bio? Did you know you’re also slipping in History now too? What is going on?”
Nothing seems to be swinging my way these days.

Wednesday, October 10th 2012:
I have to start getting it together in school. I don’t even do sports or any other activity that takes up a lot of my time. Before dinner tonight, I completed all of my homework so I could get a jumpstart on studying for my Bio and History tests I have on this coming Friday.
Dad: “Kayzad, you have two tests coming up on Friday. What have you done to prepare for these tests?”
I was ready with an answer.
Me: “I finished all my homework before dinner so I can study for the rest of the evening.”
Dad: “Ok, I expect good grades this time, Kayzad. Don’t disappoint me.” Recently I have been
feeling pretty in the dumps. After I studied really hard tonight, though, I couldn’t have felt better.
Thursday, October 11th 2012:
Gosh I’m nervous. I’ve been studying a lot today during school and after I arrived back home.
Mom: “How was school today, Kayzad?”
Me: “Good! I’ve been feeling good about the two tests coming up on Friday.”
Sam: “You better be, or Dad will beat you up!”
Dad: “...He’s right, Kayzad.”
Me: “I will do my best, everyone.”
After dinner concluded, I ran up to my room and studied for the night. I didn’t stop for anything.

Friday, October 12th 2012:
It’s done. I did it, and now everything is behind me.
Sam: “You failed, didn’t you?”
Me: “What! How did you come to that conclusion?”
Sam: “I just had that feeling.”
Dad: “But seriously, how did you do?”
Me: “I tried my best, and that’s all that matters.
I did try really hard on that test, though.

Sunday, December 1st 2013:
In life, I’ve learned that you’re not going to exceed at everything. Sometimes, failure is the best way to learn. I did better on those tests than I had done on the previous tests, but not too well overall. I didn’t really care though. The knowledge I learned from this experience was more valuable than that. I finally understood that to do better at something, you have to believe in yourself. I never believed in myself before that October Friday last year.