Uni Nonfic - Andrew L

I have a fear of heights. I'm not usually able to recollect any of my dreams, but to this very day, I still remember a frequent nightmare I had when I was 5-years-old. It wasn't particularly gruesome or tragic, but for some reason, that nightmare lived in my head for countless years like a parasite. It all started with me sitting atop a beautiful golden spiraled staircase. Being the curious kindergartener I was at the time, I was bound to lean over the railing and peer to the depths of what lay at the bottom of the staircase. However, when I caught a glimpse of the darkness beneath the never-ending staircase, the next thing I knew, the railing disappeared and I was free-falling towards the bottomless pit with my heart in my throat. Then, before I could feel the impact of the ground, I shot awake, drenched with cold sweat.  I remember this exact series of events happening at least 2 more times.  I always told myself I was scared of heights because my heart always started racing...

The place? Hessel Park. The time? Approximately 10:45am on August 23, 2021. The story? Well, that's going to take a bit longer to explain... The Subbie Retreat is an annual event that us Subbie Buddies plan for new 8th graders--also known as Subbies--at the start of the school year. During this day-long event where all of us get to skip school, we do a bunch of different activities. A staple each year is Capture the Flag, and in particular, the Subbies vs. Subbie Buddies part of this, which is exactly what we're all getting hyped about in this photo. Although all of us love the Subbies dearly, we can't help but show our competitive side when it comes to letting them know what the Subbie Buddies are made of. The first step in displaying our prowess is a cheer. Do you think the Subbies got as pumped as us before our game of Capture the Flag? I can tell you right now they definitely didn't. Just take a look at Jonathan on the right side of the picture. The curve of his che...