Seeing the studio, I gasped, realizing where we were. We were finally there! At CBS News! As the tires squealed, coming to a stop, I hopped out of the car with my pink and yellow bag covered in pins and keychains. My heart kept beating faster, eating up my sadness. I wondered if I was going to meet anyone important.
I walked in, seeing a tall-ish woman named Sarah. She was some sort of worker, but really nice. It was weird seeing Bode Miller for the first time. He looked like he just came from a long day at work raising his kids alone. As I walked up, another woman came into my vision; this one was definitely not a worker. She wore a long blue dress with red high heels. My mom said “She is Gayle King, the host.”
Turning my head, a man as tall as Mount Everest caught my attention. My mom gave a little squeal as she walked up behind me. I had no idea why. Running up to him she shook his hand, giving him a hug.
I asked him,”Hi! What’s your name?”
My mom quickly responded, “This is Rupaul Charles. He was a man from my childhood.” I could tell she was overly excited.
We finally walked into the dressing room. As my mom was getting her makeup done, she bounced her legs up and down, clearly showing she was nervously excited. I felt like a day had gone by from how long it took to get her makeup done. Realizing that she looked no different, I huffed, mentally stomping my foot because that was a waste of my time. After that, I looked at her hair after they had “fixed it”. It looked no different than it had when we arrived.
Finally sitting down with our breakfast, I got pineapple, strawberries, a croissant, and a glass of orange juice. The condensation dripped all over my hand - a hot summer day inside of my glass.
After breakfast, I went backstage, feeling like a celebrity. I sat backstage with Rupaul, Sarah, and one other woman I don’t remember the name of.
“This is crazy that you have been able to do all this,” I heard Rupaul say.
“It’s been rough, but I mean, I am seeing my mom on live TV!” I replied.
We sat back there talking until I realized something. There was a fly in the room they were recording in! The fly was acting like Bode was his home. The fly kept buzzing and flying around him, acting like it was part of the mischievous insect’s plan. Being so focused on the fly, I forgot this was on live TV!
As we left, I gave everyone a hug I wouldn't forget. My heart bounced up and down, showing me the true meaning of life. Life isn’t about learning from a school book or getting your homework done. It’s about being with the people you love and reaching for the stars.
This trip has done so much for me. Before any of this happened, the word “Levi” wasn’t out of my brain. But people who I look up to acted like they are looking up to me. After this trip, I realized that I have to live my life. After this trip, I realized that there is so much more to life than what meets the eye.
One of the best things I will always remember from this trip is something they all said to me.
“ You are going to do great things. We just know it.”
That made my heart smile, and still is today. I will never forget this trip. Ever.