It was cold. Beyond cold. I had entered into our air conditioned school gym nervous, shaky and excited. I had been building up to this for two years and there was no reason to walk away now. Even as I looked at the sterilized plastics and menacing metals, I decided not to let anything phase me and so I gave myself over. I did so willingly, a thought that later comforted me. It was for a good cause that I donated my blood, and even though a part of me will always be missing, I had been reassured that I was a hero, and that is something I will never forget.

As I sat in the lobby, I as offered water and PB