The Terrors of Rain by Hiya Sharma

The classroom was shaking with whispers, laughter, running and only one person was quietly sitting alone like a lone wolf across everyone, waiting; It was me. I waited and waited as my life was about to get crazier by the seconds. We all were about to take a test.

Tests. Tests meant nightmares. I always knew to work fast use all my shortcuts just like I do in math. Although I knew I was not as skilled at writing nor math because I knew my grade didn’t show so. Texas was weird and that was one thing I knew. We took a test for 4 whole hours. Chicago didn’t have that. Had my mind known that the "STAAR test" was a test that could impact me forever. I stared at the capitalized  words of STAAR during the beginning of the test. I can still remember the first page. The page was a Texas flag with a STAAR written on the top of the Texas flag and on the bottom the full form of the STAAR. I had millions of questions; I didn't know what to do and I didn't know why this test was important,the test was biggest thing ever had seen and there were two days of it? After a while I thought was in a dream, so I kept trying to slap myself awake.  I couldn't believe this mess I was stuck and I couldn’t figure out that we took a test every day in this school? I knew that I had to be in the middle of a misunderstanding but I knew I wasn’t.

I took the test skipped multiple questions and finished first. Whoa, I had finished first and I never was first and stared for a couple of hours. I was done and later after the test saw kids running up and down on the playground showing their happiness though I only got more confused. Later, that day some students in that class told me how sorry they felt I had to take the STAAR my first day in Texas as a student. That was the moment it struck to me that the STAAR determined if I could go to the next grade level. I have regretted how I took the test forganted ever since but I continued my life.

After months finally I was about to find out my results. I knew this either meant I kept those friends I made or stay back. I had passed on the line but the teachers knew that they would have to hold me back. For a second the world stopped and I only wish I could go back and be prepared. I didn’t get held back because at that time I didn’t know and the teachers believed in me but I learned a lesson to always be prepared for whatever happens in life. The teachers gave me a second chance to live my future.

I believe in second chances for everyone. The teachers taught me to be resilient, and always be prepared for the obstacles everywhere in my life. I always remind myself of how I got out from ESL and how I have prepared myself everyday after that STAAR. Everyday I prepare myself for daily tasks, tests, do my homework and many more. I feel so happy that I went through this terror that almost held me back but has helped me rise through so many situations that have tried to help me.