My Account of September 11

My Account of the Terrorist Attack
September 11, 2001

Today started off like any other normal school day would. I woke up at 6:30 AM and sluggishly got ready for school. At 7:05 AM, I headed to the bus stop and waited for the bus to come. As usual, it came around 7:10 AM. When I got to school, I went to my locker, the usual thing any high schooler would do before first class. After that, I headed to my first class, Intermediate Band. The class went as accustomed.

Then came the dreaded homeroom after band. Today, we were going to write an essay about the summer reading we did. We were given the papers needed, told to start, and that we had until 10 AM. We did as we were told, knowing little about what was to happen soon in New York City and Washington, DC.

I don't know what time it was, but it was probably half way through the essay when our homeroom teacher interrupted the essay writing to tell us some shocking news. By that time, I was really involved in my essay writing, so I listened to the news with one ear. The words "The World Trade Center was attacked" passed through, not really registering at first. Then I thought about it and realized what it meant. At first I didn't believe it. It was like a dream turned nightmare. How could the WORLD TRADE CENTER be attacked?! I knew I had Broadcasting TV next, so I decided to wait and find out more there by hoping the teacher would let us watch the news.

I got to the broadcasting room shortly after homeroom had ended. The class immediately asked to watch the news, but the teacher said he couldn't let us. We asked why and found out that the superintendent of the school district was forbidding any student from watching or listening to the news. I became confused, and a maelstrom of thoughts swirled in my head. What was going on? There are rumors that the Pentagon was also attacked. Were these rumors true? Who was attacking us? Why couldn't we watch the news? What on Earth was going on out there? Some of my questions were answered when the teacher explained all that he knew to the class. Yet many of the questions were left unclear. I was still unsure if BOTH of the Twin Towers had collapsed, whether other Washington buildings were attacked, too, and who had attacked us. I did find out that the Pentagon was also attacked and that some of the many rumors flying around WERE true.

We were kept in second block longer than expected, so we had plenty of time to try to figure out was happening. Also, during that time, we were asked if we had anyone that we knew in or near the Twin Towers. If we did and wanted, we could go to the library for a meeting. It during that time I realized my sister worked in NYC, but I didn't know where. Becoming worried, I asked the teacher if I could call my mom at home. I wanted to check up on my mom and to find out where my sister worked, so I would know whether or not to feel worried. The teacher gave me permission to go to the office to call my mom. After giving me a pass, I went to the main office. I quickly went to the front desk and asked to use a phone. The secretary told me to go in back and ask for a phone there. I anxiously complied and briskly went to the back. I was directed into an office I was unfamiliar with, but I didn't care because by then, I really wanted to talk to my mom. Quickly dialing my home phone number, I waited for her to pick up. After the third ring, she picked up.

The first thing I asked was if she had heard. She affirmed that she had and then I asked where my sister worked in NYC. Noticing the concern in my voice, she told me that she didn't think that my sister was in danger because she worked in upper Manhattan. Feeling slightly relieved, I asked about the subway because I knew that she usually took the subway. Mom said the worst thing that could have happened was my sister got caught on the subway. Feeling better, but still a little worried, I said good-bye and explained that school may close early, but I highly doubted it. I hung up and walked uneasily back to the broadcasting room to have lunch.

That was the hardest time of the day, not knowing. We were being kept clueless about something that meant a lot to us. Many students were especially worried about family member that they knew were either at the Twin Towers or the Pentagon. As I walked down to the broadcasting room, I saw a girl crying and I knew that the worst had happened. It was then that I knew that others with the bad news were soon to follow. I had a feeling then that the worst was yet to come. When we did find out the answers to all our questions, our fears. I knew that this wasn't a dream anymore. It WAS true. Little did I know how bad it was until I got home...

The rest of the day passed by rather quickly, even though the news of a terrorist attack was still on our tongues. More rumors popped up, but I knew I wouldn't find out the truth until I got home. But before I go into that, I noticed something about the students at MHS. The population had dropped. Kids were missing from class. Others were called down to the main office, probably for news of their loved ones. All I knew was it had to do with the attack, but I hoped that tragedy hadn't hit those who were missing. Yet I knew that some were probably hit with tragedy, much to my will for it not to be. Activities were also cancelled and I didn't have to go the marching band later. Being able to go home was fast approaching, and I was anxious to get home. I had to talk to my mom...


When the bus let me off, I ran home, eagerly wanting to know the answers to my many questions. I was greeted by my mom, and it was then I found out that BOTH of the Twin Towers HAD fallen from their attack. And that the planes that had crashing into to them were hijacked passenger planes. Devastated, I ran to the TV, which was conveniently on a news channel. After watching it a while I saw the tragic scene of the magnificent building crumbling to the ground. I almost cried at the sight. It was heart wrenching to watch as a childhood favorite place crumbled to its end. It was a painful sight, so I fled to the computer to see what it said. The computer didn't help. It was also no help to ease the pain.

Then I became angry. It was so close to home. It hurt people I probably knew. It destroyed the World Trade Center. It was almost in my backyard, it was so close. It was in my backyard because people at the high school were hurt because of this. Tragedy had hit too close to home for me and that hurt and angered me. I wanted to make them pay for the damaged they caused. I hoped they would. I knew they would.

I went back downstairs and continued to watch the news with my mom learning more new and horrifying facts. My dad came home a short while later, and he better explained the situation. It got more horrifying by the moment. Each new fact I learned was worse than the one before. Then he made me realize that the Twin Towers were also gone forever. He said they wouldn't be rebuilt because who would finance that? One of my favorite places in NYC was gone for good. I am happy I got to go up there twice before it was destroyed. I will never forget the view from up there. And I will never forget the day it was destroyed for all eternity.

We continued to watch the news during dinner. It was saddening, but I knew I had to accept it. After dinner, I went back upstairs to go on the computer again. It was during that time, I decided to write down my account of the terrorist attack against the U.S. I wanted you to know what it felt like not to be able to find out the horrible truth until I got home. And how hard it hit me.

It took a break from my account to watch the six to seven minute speech the president made. It was short, but it made its point. The only thing that really struck me was the part about quiet anger. The Americans have a quiet anger that they aren't letting out yet. But when we do, it probably will also never be forgotten by fellow Americans. I, myself, hide a quiet anger. An anger against those who selfishly targeted us and killed and hurt many Americans. This date will probably also live in infamy.

I left the downstairs again to complete my account. On the way up, my dad reminded me of a quote used to describe the Americans after the attack on Pearl Harbor, "I think we awakened a sleeping tiger." As I headed for the stairs, I told him in return, "I think they have awakened the sleeping tiger again."

I will never forget today, Tuesday, September 11, 2001, for as long as I live. I will never forget the pain, sadness, anger, and confusion it caused me and many other Americans. I still feel as if I am in some horrible dream, though I know I'm not. Today will live in infamy just as the day of the attack against us at Pearl Harbor.




This is not a fanfic. This is what really happened to me and everyone else in my school. And, in case you are wondering, my sister is okay. Nothing happened to her.


Dedication: I am dedicating this account to all those innocent people killed yesterday in the attack and to all those killed trying to save the lives of others. I also want to give my sympathy to anyone who reads this and has lost a loved one. We will truly never forget that day.