There are a few consistent sayings or rules for The Central Trend, and when I hear them, no matter who’s speaking, I hear Mr. Georges’s booming voice clanging around my brain. 

Some of those rules include that “high school” is two words, not one, it goes name, then “said” in attributions for features and profiles, The Central Trend is not your diary, and lastly, don’t use clichés. 

Despite these non-negotiable instructions, I will be breaking the cliché rule. 

Because finally, after three years of failed attempts to escape the mundane and icy grasp known as Michigan weather, I find myself headed to Florida in no less than a week and a half. And if there was ever a saying that fits this surreal experience, it would certainly be the cliché of all clichés: the third time’s the charm. 

I am lucky enough to have visited Florida many times in my life for Disney vacations and a few scattered spring breaks, but what is most notably special about these past couple of years that I have attempted to go, is the company right by my side: my best friend Mia.

Aside from an obsolete gap year in our friendship—which I like to refer to as the lost year—Mia and I have pretty much been best friends since fifth grade. And for almost as long, we have talked, dreamt, and hoped to one day go on spring break together. 

That dream became a reality freshman year when her family offered to take me to California. However, along with a slew of other experiences, it got canceled. Disappointment was a common feeling for those couple of months, and my spring break being canceled was at the bottom of a very long list of things to be sad about. 

However, when sophomore year came around, my hopes were sky high once again. An entirely new getaway to Florida was planned, and this time, Mia would be going with my family. After months of uncertainty, my life was a roller coaster that never slowed down, and Florida was like the off switch to my sanity. 

Unfortunately, the world threw me another curveball, and I tested positive three days before we were supposed to leave. The absolute devastation I felt for not only getting my own spring break snatched away, but also for taking Mia’s from her as well, was astronomical. 

These experiences left my brain so scattered and discouraged that it made sense to primarily focus on the little things. I thought if there are no big-ticket events to look forward to, then I will be forced to focus my admiration for life elsewhere. 

It was this thought process that led me to believe that clichés aren’t that bad. Although they are overused and slightly annoying, they gave me hope when I couldn’t find the courage to create unique thoughts of my own. They were predictable and safe.

They helped me learn that the grass is greener on the other side, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and that hopefully, the third time is the charm.