Winner | Teen Ink

Winner

April 10, 2012
By CornStarchAddict GOLD, Rome, Georgia
CornStarchAddict GOLD, Rome, Georgia
10 articles 0 photos 0 comments

Favorite Quote:
Damaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive. -Josephine Hart


I had really wanted to win.

But then again, who doesn’t? Nobody sets out to lose. Nobody puts in hours of effort, painstakingly fixing all the last minute details, only to give the prize to someone else. Nobody stays awake at night fervently praying in a final attempt to be the one, the sole winner, the best.

So perhaps I’m not alone in my disappointment, my shame. I had tried to be head prefect, and I had failed. An entire year of effort, of secret plans and manipulation, all dedicated to making me seem like the perfect leader. I had fed them, clothed them, and taken them home with me. I had gone to their games and recitals, just to support the international students whose parents couldn’t be there. I had stepped up when assistance was needed. I had listened to their complaints and woes. I had done everything that a good leader would do, so why wasn’t I chosen?

Maybe it’s because I didn’t believe in myself. I told myself over and over again, whispered it to myself as I lay in bed, that someone else would win, that I would be passed over for a better candidate. I refused to admit how badly I wanted it, that I could almost taste it, a sickly-sweet victory that meant all my effort hadn’t gone to waste. But I didn’t want that bitter feeling of regret, of knowing that I just wasn’t good enough.

If I close my eyes for a moment, I can almost pretend that nothing happened, that we won’t find out the winners until tomorrow, and I still have a chance. But that only works for so long, and then it’s gone, a shadow retreating back into my heart.

One day, that shadow will resurface. It’ll poke out its head, tentatively at first, and then bravely, confident in its own abilities. It’ll give powerful speeches that bring crowds to their feet, hooting and cat-calling. It’ll be a gentle but firm guide, one who emerges when a people desperate for a leader calls out. It’ll be there.

But for today, I am stuck here, attempting to hide. I refuse to acknowledge any emotion, fearful that they will think me weak. I do not want their sympathy, but I begrudgingly accept it, the losing candidate in an unimportant race. Someday, when that shadow reappears, I will be victorious, a glorified winner. But for now, I am a loser.



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This article has 1 comment.


CloClo SILVER said...
on Apr. 13 2012 at 12:49 pm
CloClo SILVER, Scottsdale, Arizona
6 articles 0 photos 8 comments

Favorite Quote:
many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints on your heart. to handle yourself, use your head ;to handle others, use your heart.Anger is only one letter short of danger. If someone betrays you once, it is his fault; if he betrays you twice, it is your fault. Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. He who loses money, loses much; he who loses a friend, Loses MUCH more; he who loses Faith, loses all. Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art. Learn from mistakes of others. You cant live long enough to make them all yourself...... There is no beginning or end. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is Mystery.Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present

Sometimes I feel the same way, working so hard, yet be rewarding for none of it. This is a good story and I know a lot of people can connect to it. We all feel this way at one point in our life. The quotes were good, the questions tide in nicely, and it was well written. Good work!