Obsessing

• Ivy Galea, Grade 7
• Short Story
• 2022

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP! Mmm the irritating sound of my alarm clock beeping over and over. I quickly shoot out of my bed and tuck in the sides of the sheets to rearrange the pillows perfectly. I dust off my cabinet and crack out my school uniform. Slap that on, fix my collar to my blouse. Tie my dirty blonde hair into a perfect half up half down, cute bow, boom. I'm ready for the first day of year 7.

Hi, I'm Hazel, and I'm going to teach you about a morning with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).
A day in my life is confusing, tuff and a lot rigid. It all started when I was 10, 3 years ago. I woke up from a deathly dream of me in a hospital bed with my mums, I'm losing myself to a dreadful death of cancer. So now I have my safe number. That saves me from cancer.

I pack my books and stack them neatly in my bag. Then I leave for the kitchen to pack my lunch. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 I switch the light on and off 8 times. 8 is my safe number. If I don't do everything 8 times I increase my risk of cancer. I gallop down the stairs where I encounter my mum. A messy bun and baggy chequered sweats.

Avoiding all cracks in the floor, I possibly can manage to get to the fridge. 1 apple, 2 chocolates , 4 single chips and 1 sandwich, perfectly stacked. Bread, butter, vegemite, cheese and lettuce. That all equals up to 8 things to eat today.

I take 8 steps to the door, wait 8 seconds and take another 8 steps.

“MUM! MUMMA! HURRY I DON'T WANT TO BE LATE!!”
I jump into the backseat, the back is scientifically the safest spot in a car. Mum hops into the driver's seat.

“Where's Mumma?” i question her

“Busy love” she replies with a gentle voice “ remember i will pick you up two periods early you have a therapy session”

“Got it”

And we're off. Once we arrive at school I close my eyes and count to 8.

I jump outta the car to witness a giant building with giants surrounding me. I hold back my tears and walk in, dancing like a ballerina trying to avoid cracks, counting aloud to 8 then starting again once I reach that number. Everyones looking at me. great!. As soon as I make it inside the bell rings for the first period. MATHS! Hooray!! I love maths. It's fun and I'm good at it. I made it to maths 3 minutes late and a wee bit sweaty. I get out my things and arrange them on the table. I look around to see my classmates. Not my year 6 bully! Oh no.

“Haha it's the OCD freak!” Jason yelled, then proceeded to throw his shoe at my head.

Then I blacked out…
And that's morning for me :)