“Nothing exciting ever happens on Columbus Day,” Mr. Mike Kelley said in class one day.

Annabeth subconsciously burst into a frenzy and shouted, “ I’m getting my braces off on Columbus Day!” 

Everyone got a good laugh, but inside, Annabeth was yearning for that day, when the metal holding her teeth prisoner for almost three and a half years would finally set her free. 

After more than three years of braces, and an additional year from her fourth-grade overbite correction, one can understand my desire for a metal-free mouth. No need to worry, Columbus is rapidly coming to my rescue.

Over the years of having braces, I have had every problem one could imagine. Annabeth had popped brackets, snapped bands, swallowed wax, and even broken wires. 

Although braces may not be her favorite look, she very much enjoyed customizing them. Each visit to the orthodontist is like a trip to the mall. She would pick different colors each time. One year in December, she got red, green, and white-colored bands in a cool criss-crossed pattern to resemble a candy cane. That made for an awkward month of January.

She was ecstatic for Columbus Day. Each day closer to this date, she got more and more excited, gaining another butterfly each day. She could not remember what I looked like without my mouth jewelry on, but I know someone who has recently experienced getting their braces off, Clarke Jones.

The night before my scheduled orthodontist appointment, I dreamt of getting my braces off, but I woke up with the thought that it was too good to be true. 

I hustled through my first two classes and at last, headed to the orthodontist. They took a look at my teeth and nonchalantly told me they were going to pop off the brackets and shave the glue off my teeth. Is this really happening? I couldn’t help but smile knowing that the next time I do, I won’t be a metal mouth. 

The process began by the hygienist snapping off the brackets. She then shaved the glue off each individual tooth. This part was uncomfortable, but worth it for the final product. My mouth was finally free.

To keep my teeth from shifting into their previous form, they customized a retainer. Waiting for this to be made, I studied my pearly whites. 

When I arrived back at school, I surprised all my friends by flashing a smile. They were all so surprised. 

Having braces at the beginning of freshman year wasn’t too bad, but having them off is a relief. Now I don’t have to worry about missing school for an orthodontist appointment or getting food stuck between brackets. But with all of these hardships in mind, the finished product was worth it. 

In conclusion, it seems Mr. Kelley’s initial theory was correct. Nothing exciting ever happens on Columbus Day.

After preparing Annabeth for her exciting day, Columbus ruined it all. Brace yourselves because Annabeth is still a brace face. Maybe Santa Claus will make her wish come true this Christmas.