My team is always going to be there.

Throughout my life I was always the black sheep I was depressed but no one ever knew everyone just saw the rebellious kid who had a problem with authority. I kept it all to myself because I didn't know who was worth knowing. Up until I joined cross country I never knew of people I could turn to. Cross country wasn't something I planned on sticking with, but my team became my everything. I wasn't as depressed as before and the sport gave me a reason to not be the person I was used to I became a better person because I was always around my team having a good time. I knew that I could be myself around them, none of them would judge me. Whenever I had problems I knew they were there for me even if it wasn't cross country season anymore. It wasn't up until a few weeks before track that I fell back into old habits. The depression came back and soon did the rebel acts. Right before the start of track a few people went and brought some of my mistakes to the principals attention and it was announced that I would be suspended from track for a percentage of the season. Hearing that crushed me. I immediately messaged my coached apologizing and asking what I could do. His response was that it's behind us and that the only thing I can do is show up to every practice but no meets until the suspension cleared or else I would have to serve it during cross country. I show up to practice, I go to team meetings, I go to all the team activities but deep down it crushes me knowing I ruined things but I know that my team is always gonna be there whether I'm currently a team member or not.

- Anonymous