Today during 5th period at Lindale High, something traumatic happened to me in the hallway.

I was running—well, skipping—to deliver something to theatre class. I wasn’t being reckless. I was focused, purposeful. But Daniel Kent decided to stop me by grabbing my hoodie and yanking it back. Hard enough that I started choking.

He let go after saying, “I’m not even pulling that hard.”

He tried again. I ducked and sped up. Lynora told him to stop.

I didn’t cry then. But my body remembered.

In 6th period, I flinched at loud noises. My heart was racing.

My trauma showed up before I could explain it.

I have Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, and it was under control today—until that moment.

After the choking, my body panicked. My Binge Eating Disorder took over.

I got hungry. I drank tea. My blood sugar stayed low.

My body thought I was choking on food, even though my brain knew better.