When they look at me, 

Coach Upton sees an asset to the team.

Mr. Taylor sees a determined athlete.

Darryl sees a key to success.

Kevin sees a shining spiker.

Anthony sees a rambunctious ball of energy.

Ryan sees an unending source of excitement.

York sees a spirited underclassman.

Kai sees an allied rival.

Todd sees a talented teammate.

And

Toby sees a flawless idiot.

Nobody sees me, Shawn Harris,

Not worth anyone's worry or attention,

Yet so pathetically weak that I can barely keep up my mask.

Somehow, nobody sees.

Nobody sees that I am slowly dying inside.

But everything slowly begins to change. 

Coach Upton sees my faltering smile.

He tells me that my best is good enough.

Mr. Taylor sees the fire in my eyes die.

He says to never give up.

Darryl sees my wince when I land from a spike.

He reminds me to come to him in times of trouble.

Kevin sees my limp when I run across the court.

He tells me I can trust him with anything.

Anthony sees my red-rimmed eyes.

He says that it's healthy to express negative emotions.

Ryan sees the scratch running up my arm.

He reminds me that he will kill anyone who hurts me.

York sees the bruise on my leg. 

He tells me to go easy on myself because he knows bruises hurt like hell.

Kai sees my flinch when a hand is raised near me.

He says that even he's had to ask for help before.

Todd sees my fumbled spike.

He reminds me that no one expects perfection.

And

Toby sees the scars on my back.

He promises that he will keep me from ever having to go back again.

His words tip the scale.

My mask falls.

I reveal everything.

And they all save me.

Toby's promise stands.

Slowly, slowly, I learn how to live.

I find myself becoming whole.

I can finally stand up tall.

And now if anyone asks, "Who are you?"

I know the answer.

I am an asset to the team.

I am a determined athlete.

I am a key to success.

I am a shining spiker.

I am a rambunctious ball of energy.

I am an unending source of excitement.

I am a spirited underclassman.

I am an allied rival.

I am a talented teammate.

And

I am a flawless idiot.

I am Shawn H.