Today I sat in the darkened kitchen

Convinced that a shooter was going to kill me

But in those moments

I realized what I loved

What I would miss

What I was truly grateful for

 

One

They held my hand

Told me to focus on squeezing

Keeping me from panic

As I buried my face in their chest

 

Two

They patted my shoulder comfortingly

Showing me jokes on their phone

Trying to keep my mind off my panic

And to make me laugh

 

Three

She was in a different classroom

I had only just come home

What would my mother do if I died?

What would I do if she did?

 

Four

She wasn’t there

Probably safe at home

She had my friend for eleven years

How would she handle it if I was killed?

 

Five

I didn’t know where he was

Or if he was okay

He was too young to die

This freshman whom I took under my wing

 

Six

They let us out after an hour

Turns out it was some hunter too close to the school

But I’m thankful for that.

I’m thankful that my friends, family, and I are all still okay.