I was beyond excited when the final bell rang on Friday, signaling the start of Labor Day weekend. I scooped up my bag and all but ran out the door of my math class. Quickly, students swarmed the halls like bees as I booked it downstairs and out to my car. Every year my family and I take a trip to a family friend’s lake cabin Labor Day weekend to take a break from everything and relax. I was surprised that I was the last one to get home, usually my older sister took forever to get anywhere.
“Taylor, grab your bags and get in the car,” she bossed.
“Olivia, be nice to your brother,” our mom scolded, fighting with our Scottish terrier, Jack, who refused to get in the car.
I tossed my backpack on my bed, grabbed my Switch from its dock and shoved it in my suitcase before meeting my family in our car. As soon as I shut the door, my dad put the car in drive and we were off.
Trees reached up into the blue sky towering over the small cabin we were going to stay in for the next few days. After I brought my suitcase inside to the room my sister and I always shared: it was separated like a college dorm room with two twin beds on either side and a desk in the middle, a small dresser and closet lined the other wall. It felt good to be back.
“I’m taking Jack to the dock,” I shouted, grabbing the dog’s leash.
“Okay, be back by eight,” my dad shouted back and I was out the door.
The docks were usually pretty empty, but today, everyone was either parked or in the water. I led Jack to a smaller fishing dock where no one was around and took off my socks and shoes to sit at the edge and watch the water. It was a nice change of pace from the business of school. I took Jack off his leash to let him roam around keeping him in my sights. He immediately went to sniff everything new before coming back to where I sat at the edge of the dock, my feet almost reaching the water.  I leaned my elbow against one of the poles, my other hand stroking Jack’s smooth fur.
I could tell this was going to be a relaxing weekend.

The Tuesday after Labor Day I was more sluggish than usual. As my English teacher went on about grammar, I laid my head on a textbook. I’m just resting my eyes, I’m not going to fall asleep.
“Dude, If you drool anymore, they’re going to have to buy a new textbook,” My best friend Chase startled me awake.
“How long have I been asleep?” I asked.
“Long enough that the teacher noticed,” he laughed. Sure enough, the entire class was staring.
“Nice of you to join us,” our teacher remarked, the class giggled.
The rest of the day droned on and by lunch I was more tired than I was this morning.
“What did you do last night, pull an all-nighter?” Chase strolled up beside me, lunchbox in tow.
“Something like that.” Labor Day threw my already unhealthy sleep schedule out of whack, and today I was paying the price.
“Did you guys see the new story I posted?” Our other friend Melody set a tray down beside me at one of the grey tables. She was on staff for Mav Media and made sure we checked into the website regularly.
“When did you post it?” I asked, freeing my sandwich from its wrapping.
“I posted it yesterday, look!” She held up her phone for us, and a review for some new movie showed up on screen. “Anyway, are you guys going to participate in spirit week?”
“I think I’m just going to participate on the first day,” Chase took a drink of soda, “Who doesn’t want to wear pajamas to school?”
“We should do something for twin day, all three of us dress up,” Melody looked back and forth at us expectantly.
“Hard pass, Mel.”
“Yeah, no offense, but your ideas, how can I say this…” Chase trailed off looking for the right words, “usually get us in trouble.”
“I’m sorry the school can’t handle my brilliant ideas,” She retorted.
“You once got the entire class to hide a poor subs papers around the room,” I added.
“Okay, you have to admit, that was hilarious.”
“You had SDC for two days,” Chase argued.
“That was in Junior High. I’m a senior now. Don’t you think I’m a little more mature?”
Chase and I exchanged a look of doubt.
“Party poopers.”

It was finally Homecoming week, which meant everyone was showing their school spirit by participating in spirit week. Monday’s theme was pajama day, and it was probably the only one I was going to participate in.
Chase took his seat next to mine during our third period, his Chewbacca house shoes squeaking against the tile floor as he sat down. Melody was right behind him.
“Are you guys going to the homecoming game this Friday?” She asked, rummaging around in her bag for a pencil and notebook.
“Of course I am, I’m Southside’s good luck charm,” Chase grinned.
“More like bad luck charm,” I joked, “every time you go to a game, we lose.” Southside already lost every game, and the season had only just begun.
“Well I’m still going to that game. Who do you think is going to win homecoming queen?” He asked.
“This year we have a lot of nice girls, so I really have no idea.” Melody doodled on the cover of her notebook while she talked, filling in the white spaces with a purple pen.
Years past there were always a few girls nominated for homecoming queen who didn’t deserve it. They were usually the rich, snooty, popular girls, who acted like little angels in front of teachers. Honestly, the only reason they won was because all their friends voted for them, they didn’t deserve it.
“One thing’s for sure, the pep rally Friday is going to be crazy.” Everyone was supposed to dress up in their class colors, I knew my friends would do a complete white out, while I would probably just wear a white t-shirt and call it a day.
Sure enough, the pep rally Friday was wild. The bleachers filled to the brim with students supporting their classes, me and Chase stood with the rest of the seniors while Melody was on the sidelines snapping photos. Seniors cheered the loudest, winning themselves their second spirit award. By the end of the pep rally my voice was gone, but spirits were high.