The next morning, I awoke in a happier mood. I felt better about middle school for I knew the layout of the building and most of my teachers were acceptable. This however did not change the fact that I did not want to get up again. I waited to long to get up, so I had to race out the door a second day, so Joy would not be late. As soon as I arrived at school, I got a pass to go to the library. When I entered, I asked the librarian if she could direct me towards the Lemony Snicket books. As she showed me to the section, she said she had two copies of the latest book. I told her that was what I was searching for. I took the only copy on the shelf and went to the check-out desk. A girl with red hair was checking out a book before me. The librarian said to her that she had just helped me find the same book. The girl turned to look at me and saw the book in my hand. She introduced herself and said she had seen me in science class yesterday. She asked if I wanted to walk with her to class. We sat together and compared schedules. Sammie and I discovered that we shared gym and choir together besides science class.

During third period gym class with Mrs. Brown, Sammie asked me a question. She asked me why I had taken off my bracelet and put it on the ledge. She also asked why do I even wear the bracelet. I told her that I had a rare condition called Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia or CAH for short. I also told her that I wore the bracelet because people with this genetic disorder should wear medical alert bracelet or necklace that says “adrenal insufficiency in emergencies give cortisone.” This would help paramedics or medical personnel help me survive since my body will not react like a normal person’s body would.

I felt like she really wanted to know about my condition. I had never felt comfortable telling people about CAH. Debbie did not even know about it. I told her that Congenital meant present at birth, adrenal meant it involved the adrenal glands, and that hyperplasia meant that the adrenal glands were over grown. I also told her that I had an insufficient amount of one of the enzymes that is needed to manufacture cortisol. This natural hormone is essential for life because it regulates salt and sugar. Everybody needs a balance of the two. Without cortisone, my body will not adjust when stress or injury happens which could lead to death. We had to stop talking so we could listen to Mrs. Brown.

When we met again in choir, I asked Sammie if she wanted to come over on Friday. She said she would ask her dad and she would tell me Thursday. I told her I would also have to ask my mother also. That night at home when mom tucked me in bed I told her about my new friend Sammie. Mom told me that it was an awesome start and that Sammie could come over as long as she could meet Sammie’s parents. I told her that I would talk to Sammie at school to find out what her parents had decided. It turned out that Sammie could come over and that our parents would get together Friday evening when we picked her up.