Ava in the Middle: Too Tired to Explain Again : Still Here. Still Tired. Still Trying.

Middle school is hard enough—but try explaining why you’re exhausted before the first bell even rings.Ava is used to the questions, the confused stares, and the endless “But you don’t look sick.” Living with an invisible illness means every day is a balancing act—between classes and flare-ups, between wanting to fit in and needing to rest.When Ava joins her school’s decorating committee, she hopes it will help her feel more connected. But between missed days, group projects, and the pressure to keep up, she’s not sure she can handle it all. With the support of her friends—and a few lessons learned the hard way—Ava discovers that speaking up and pacing herself isn’t giving in… it’s growing stronger. Read more