Before, I took the bus to school during winter; now I cycle instead. It’s cold. Wet. Before, I would’ve complained; now I relish the bite of the wind on my knuckles and the bracing touch of it on my bare face. I enjoy every drop of rain. I suck in the fresh air, and smile.
In class we get our marked homework back. Before, I would’ve skimmed it; now I read the teacher’s comments thoroughly. The lesson continues, and I take notes. Before, the girls at the back would have been chatting; now they stay quiet. At break, we head to our form room to escape the rain. Before, we would have stayed glued to our phones; now my classmates sit around on the tables, sharing stories, laughing and playing games together.
My friends are grumbling about how bored they were you-know-when. They turn to me, laughing, saying at least they didn’t have an annoying little brother. Before, I would’ve agreed wholeheartedly or lied; now I think about all the times he kept me company and I say, he’s not so bad. On the way to lunch, I pass a club sign-up sheet. Before, it would have been barren; now names are crammed onto the page. We walk towards the canteen. Before, we would have just claimed a table and started eating; now we take it in turns to wash our hands in the bathroom or pass round hand sanitizer. We sit together as we wait for the others. Before, students would have been queueing through the doors for food; now almost everyone swings a packed lunch from their hand. A couple of others from our year ask if there’s any room left at the table. Before, we would have apologised; now we squeeze together to make room. Near the walls, a couple of students still wearing masks eat alone, or at the far end of each table. Nobody bothers them.
