Overhead Lighting

Nothing bothered me more than the light. That white puddle in a sea of black that illuminates you in front of all those eyes. The second I’m under it, I know how the cookies feel when I check on them every five seconds. First comes the sweat. It starts in my hair and slowly works its way down to my toes, saturating every piece of fabric I have on. That achy nausea from your insides getting too hot comes next, then the headache that pounds so hard that it makes your eyes feel like they’ll fall out of the socket. That damn chill comes next, the one that feels like a ghost placing an icy hand on your back and freezing your whole nervous system. then, your legs begin to wabble, your bones all cringe and scream at the same time. Your jaw locks up, your fists tighten, and then total darkness. Then that fucking light is back again, some hazy voices asking if you’re okay, and the stunned but slow roar of clapping when you get back to your feet and the person with the flashlight helps you walk off. At least, that’s what happens to me.