Never Quite the Best

She worked hard, studied a lot.
Highlighted handwritten notes.
Homework at 4 on the dot,
walls filled with inspired quotes.

Paid attention, classwork done.
She didn’t talk during class.
She might not be the first one,
but she never, ever placed last.

She had wonderful grades,
straight A’s in hard classes.
Determination in spades,
eyes focused through her glasses.

Blonde hair pulled back,
so that it wouldn’t distract.
She always carried a snack,
something that was small, compact.

But no matter how good she was,
or how much better than the rest,
She always tried harder because
she was never quite the best.