The Eagle's Scream Quarantine: Week 2
Updated: May 22, 2020
Enjoy the second round of journal entries from our very own staff, giving an closer look into the life of a self-isolated teenager.
Want to send in your own journal entry? Contact us at erhsjournalism@gmail.com
Lola
Things I’ve Learned During Quarantine
I’m not an introvert, I’m just lazy.
There must be a higher power after all, because I think it heard us complaining about senioritis and said, “wanna bet?”
Apparently, the best way to fight pollution is just to stay inside, streaming Neil deGrasse Tyson, indefinitely. Who knew you could fight the death of the planet with apathy? (Not me. I couldn’t care less.)*
Racial profiling is cured! When I go on walks, people cross the street to avoid me, a white female. Progress!
My room has never been actually mine. My dog has dibs on the day shift, and I’m just the deadbeat who crashes there.
Breakfast tastes better when it’s dinner.
People can tell if you’ve washed your hair, even through zoom.
Time is not linear. It is butter. By similar logic, school is a freezer, my house is a microwave, and I am very, very unproductive.
Oscar
“I’M SO NERVOUS,” Edgar screamed through the phone
“We’ll get in guys don’t worry.” Miguel kept a surprisingly calm voice.
“Knock on wood RIGHT NOW MIGUEL”
The clock hit 5. I refreshed my page. I saw my status “Nope. Rejected.”
“Rejected too.”
Edgar’s voice exploded. “I GOT IN”
Screaming ensued.
“I GOT INTO BERKELY”
And from this chaotic and joyous call, it hit me all at once... how different my friends’ college lives are going to be from mine. Edgar’s narrowed it down to two schools. Same with Miguel. And where are they? Miles away of course. It hits me how much I’m going to miss them because even now in isolation, being away from them already hurts.
I’ve never really thought about my future the way I have this week. I always found it hard to think about life beyond high school. Probably because starting senior year, I was immensely scared of change. But just a few nights ago sitting at the dinner table. “Senior year was one of the best years of my life,” says my sister at the dinner table. “It really sucks what’s happening to you guys..” I sit there and think, Wow I actually haven’t thought about it much, only because I know I don’t want to. I’d rather not think about how what’s supposed to kinda be my rite of passage to adulthood is spent in a room. I’d rather not think about how one of the biggest fears of was not being able to make memories with friends that I might not see in person for God knows how long. So I’d just spend my free week just watching YouTube. Sit next to the window, drink tea, and watch Conan Gray videos for hours. But even in isolation, I have to think about it eventually.
Suddenly, I know where I’m going to college. USC replied. Rejected (Expected). UCLA replied. Rejected (Expected, but I’ve had dreams about that place, so it kinda stung) So, the one that had always been my favorite, CSUN takes the cake. And now suddenly, the future is shoved in my face. I wish