Editor's Note: This piece is also featured May 25 as a top read on Medium.com! See it in YWP's The Crow on Medium.

I have been taught many things in school this year
including, but not exclusive to,
how photosynthesis and cellular respiration work on a molecular level,
the U.S. debt on May 10, 2018 at about 9:40 was roughly $21,145,528,000,000.00,
how to create a short story,
how to take the derivative and anti derivative of an equation,
what a sonnet is,
how to do a turn in attitude,

and the best strategies to survive a school shooting.
The best of which seems to be not being at school.
But here are some more, for those of you that don't already know.

    1) Get to the nearest classroom or secure space and lock the door.
    2) Stay against a wall or on the floor.
    3) Lower the blinds and stay away from the windows.
    4) Turn off the lights.
    5) Don't forget to text your mom you love her.

We've been taught since the moment we enter school
how to play a special version of hide and seek
where the winners get to keep their lives.

We are taught run-hide-fight.
Run away from the game if you can,
but if you can't then hide with all your might
and if/when you are found, fight,
even though bullets fly faster than fists.

Tips 1-4 are for survival-
try your best to make it seem like the classroom is empty,
like everyone in the school has vanished since the first gunshot.
And if you're in the bathroom when the game starts
and the classroom doors are locked before you get the chance to enter,
you're basically screwed, try and stand on the toilet to hide your shaking feet.
The last tip, tip five, text your mom you love her
won't help you survive,
but best prepare for the chance you don't.