The Diary of An Overthinker

ainted in calming shades of lavender and adorned with fairy lights that cast a soft glow. The air was filled with the faint scent of vanilla from her favori

e, "Today, I saved Nathi

ing mango tree in their backyard. Zola's overthinking had kicked in, and she imagined every possible scenario that could go wrong...broken bones, concussions, eme

to Earli

his "I bet I can do it even though Zola will freak out" challenge. He had already scaled ha

itchen window while pretending to do t

RIGHT NOW!" she shrieked, bolti

wn at her. "Relax, Zola. I

practically touching the clouds! One wrong move a

ramatic much? Mom lets me

stairs, Nathi. The

into her "Do you have a death wis

slo

t instinctively, as if she could somehow catch him

AAH.

t second, dangling by one hand l

oul left

he screeched, alread

ly, had the audacity to laug

H

s back, blinking up at the sky lik

, YOU'RE DEAD. YOU'RE ACTUALLY DEAD. MOM

s elbow. "Chill, Zola. I

YOU COUL

GOING ON

od on the back porch, arms crossed, eyes narrowed. She had that look,

w casually picking grass out of h

hi. Were you climbing the mango tr

ocent expressions, blink

ith your face?"

d've died. Like, actually died. Do you know how many kids get paralyzed

eathe. Nathi, stop trying to give your sist

ly unharmed, and shot Zola a

e, I'm letting gravity

That E

a exhaled deeply and

: January 2

r D

ing the mango tree was a good idea. Naturally, my mind went into overdrive....broken arms, head injuries, funerals where they play that one sa

, these children will be the death of me" look on her face. She didn't even yell, just sighed and said, "Nathi,

ng money, calling when he can but mom's the one who's actually here. She's the one who stayed up with me when I had nightmar

e way she rubs her temples when Nathi and I argue, like she's counting to ten in her head. She's only in her forties, but raising two ch

r complains. She

like she wasn't secretly relieved he wasn't hurt. She didn't scold me for panicking, even though I know she thi

he weight off her shoulders. Maybe I'll start by not freaking out every time Nathi does somethin

sappointed when I told him to get down. I don't want to be the overbearing sister who ruins his fun, but I

him climb the tree. (Just kidding.

s al

o

ng at the ceiling. From downstairs, she could hear Nathi

. And honestly, She would