Personal Naritive Rough Draft
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Bella Guerrero
House 3, Cohort 2
10/3/2021
What You Won’t Do For Love
I was born at the age of 15. Not literally, I didn't come from my mother as a full grown angsty teen, but I was re-born. From the moment we exit the womb, the first decade of our lives is pretty much planned out for us. We have a few years of child innocence then we are sent to enter the school system. From then on we follow the same routine everyday until we perish. Desensitized, following the path laid out for us and never deviating. What happens when we wake up? When we question our path and change course. Does the world stop spinning? Does Hell freeze over? No. I grabbed my life by the ear and changed its course; and now my world is brighter and so is my future. And I'm sure Hell is doing just fine.
When I was 15 I got my first job as a lifeguard at my neighborhood pool. Not because I needed a job or because I needed money, but because what I needed was something to keep me occupied. At the time I had no car and no license. My only modes of transportation were to walk or to bike, but the Texas heat don’t allow anyone to walk between the months of May and September. So I biked, everywhere. Living in a small town there wasn't much going on, but going to the pool damn near everyday with other teens who also had nothing better to do; I can tell you it was a life changing summer. There were many rides to and from the pool that led my mind to wonder. The warm summer breeze that flew through my hair made the Texas heat almost bearable. The music that flowed through my ears made my mind drift and think. Not about anything serious, more about the simple things. These bike rides were simple, nothing overly extraordinary about them, but to me, they were special. It was my first full shift, from 8am to
11pm, on one of the hottest days of the season. I will tell you now this day was miserable. The sun reflected off the water onto the stand, so when you sat down it felt like your skin melted on to the seat. There was no breeze to keep us cool, the air was stagnant and sticky. Each guard got a 10 minute break every hour, the fastest 10 minutes of our lives. These breaks were how we counted our shifts, saying there were 10 hours left in our 15 hour shift was just heartbreaking. “8 more breaks ‘till close”, “Just 6 more breaks ‘till close”, now that sounded better. The sun went down and the day was coming to an end. The guards that were once filled with laughter and energy were now sweaty zombie-like creatures. As we closed, I don't think one word was said. We all knew what had to do, and we just wanted to go home. We locked up and went our separate ways. Me and my bike were the last to leave. My legs were barely able to push the pedals to get me going, but the pool sits atop of a hill. I rode down fast, it was barely a blink and I was in the street, my legs had to start moving again. The music that played through my headphones was a playlist I made for these exact moments, mellow music to keep me from getting a headache. The streets were dark as my neighborhood is filled with tall pine trees that absorb all essences of light. A safety hazard, but who bikes in the middle of the night. It was quiet, well southern quiet. The cicadas were singing like it was their last day on earth and I guess a pond of frogs decided to make it a duet. I didn’t mind though, I could barely hear it over my music. On this bike ride I think a million thoughts ran through my head, all more elaborate than the last. I don't know if it was the heat or an act of God that made me realize I am alive. Looking at all the houses that were filled by someone's life made me wonder, how did they get here? I’ve never understood the idea of people wanting a quiet lifestyle. Living in a small little town doing small little things just seems boring to me. How do people not crave adventure? I turned the corner and through an opening in the trees the moonlight shined through, brighter than a pair of
headlights. As I looked up the song What You Won’t Do For Love by Bobby Caldwell started playing, and suddenly it all just clicked. It was like my life flashed before my eyes, not of what it was but of what it could be. If I didn’t want to stay here I didn't have to. I saw myself living, living a life where I didn't follow the same routine everyday. Where the streets weren't always the same. Where the people who lived there didn't know your whole life story. Where each day brought something new and exciting. This thought snowballed, I could do whatever I wanted. If I set my mind to it, I could do it. Who would stop me? I have never had such a close encounter with the meaning of life other than this moment, for a second I thought I could tell you what my life's purpose was but as all good things, this bike ride came to an end. Before I knew it I was in my own driveway. Bobby Caldwell had just finished telling me what he wouldn't do for love, and no longer was I tired. I ran inside to tell my mom about the epiphany I just had. I explained to her what I have explained to you. All she did was make a face and laugh, I don't think she took me seriously. Who would? A 15 year old who has figured out what they want to do with their life, yeah, right.
I have never been able to get this day out of my head. It may not have been the day I graduated or the day I almost drowned but it is as important as those moments. This is the day I decided to not settle for anything less than my dreams. To follow what I deem important. To make my life what I want it to be. Now, today, I am attending college in New York City. I have moved from my small town where nothing ever happens to a place where something happens everyday, on every corner. I am getting an education to become a lawyer, to do something, something important. My life may not be all planned out, but I'm doing what I want to do. I'm doing what makes me happy. There is nothing I wouldn't do for what I love.
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heat on my seat.
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