“Imani, what are you doing up there?” Mom yells from downstairs. I stand in front of the mirror, holding up two necklaces—one a gold star, the other a silver heart. I can’t decide.“It’s 7:45!” Mom shouts again. “You’re going to miss the bus!" Panic hits. School starts at 8:15, and I’m still not ready. 

I toss both necklaces onto my bed and grab my backpack, hoping I didn’t forget anything. “Imani, grab your lunch!” Mom’s voice echoes from the kitchen. “Got it!” I yell, even though I can’t remember where I put it. “And your shoes aren’t tied!” “I know!” I hop around, trying to fix my laces while balancing on one foot. Mom sighs. “Don’t forget your homework!” “I think I did it,” I mutter to myself. “Imani, breath.”

“Josiah, “Sit down and eat your breakfast!” Mom calls, waving a plate of toast in the air. “I’m not hungry! Did you know that in my game yesterday, I beat the fire dragon with just one shield?” I run in circles around the table, pretending to dodge invisible fireballs. “Josiah!” Mom snaps. “Get your backpack and shoes!” “But what if I cook lunch for everyone today?” 

I ask, darting toward the fridge. “Like a chef! We could have tacos!” Dad steps in from the living room. “Josiah, buddy, focus. Backpack. Shoes. School.” “I don’t know where my backpack is!” I shout, hopping on one foot. “Maybe I left it in the backyard!” Mom groans. “It’s by the door!” 

My brother Jordan Abdul walks in, perfectly calm as always, grabbing his bag and tying his shoes without a word. I pause for a second, my laughter fading as I watch him. I start smiling and laughing again, thinking about running around, and then I see my dad. I sigh, grab my backpack, shove on my shoes—both untied—and yell, “I’m ready!” Even though, honestly? I’m probably not.

I walk into class, my heart racing like I’m late, even though I’m not. Everyone’s talking, laughing, finding their seats. I keep my eyes on the floor and head straight for the front corner desk. Safe spot. No one behind me, and I can see everything.

Did I forget my homework? No… maybe? My stomach twists just thinking about it. I set my stuff down and look at the board, but my brain won’t stop buzzing.

The teacher starts talking, and I grip my pencil, ready to take notes. Focus, Imani. You got this. But my eyelids start feeling heavy, and my pencil slips from my hand. Stay awake, I tell myself. But the words blur, and my head sinks onto my arm. It feels like I'm dreaming but I'm starting to see someone there with me. 

I ran into class, laughing with my friends. We were throwing around a ball we missed, and it hit the window.

“Crazy!” my friend says back, grinning.

I plop into my seat, bouncing my leg. The teacher starts discussing math, but I’m already considering video games. My foot taps, my fingers drum, and my brain keeps moving.

I look out the window. Birds are flying everywhere. What if I could fly? It's way cooler than math.

“Josiah?” The teacher says my name, but I can't hear her; I'm too busy, lost in thought, trying to fly up with the birds. I notice Imani-Truth is so close to me it is as if she is flying with me.

Then, the room starts to fade. The person I saw before, I squint, and I realize that it is Josiah. He is flying up with birds. He looks so happy and peaceful as if he is spacing off. I look around, and I'm in the sky with him, realizing that he isn't even flying. He is falling. I need to help him. I reach out, grabbing his arm. My hair flies in front of my face, and I realize that I didn't even save him, and now I'm falling, too.

But the sky is purple. It’s like we’re being pulled into some weird dream. There was sand under my feet, and the air smelled like saltwater. Tall palm trees swayed in the breeze, and I could hear waves crashing in the distance.

“Where are we?” I ask, looking at Josiah, who’s just as confused as I feel.

He glances around, eyes wide. “I don’t know, but this doesn’t look like school.”

I take a deep breath. “Mom?!” I call, but there’s no answer.

Josiah points ahead. “Wait, look at that.” I turn and see a big wooden sign sticking out of the sand. It reads ADHD ISLAND. 

I stare at it momentarily, trying to wrap my head around what I’m seeing.

“I think we’re in ADHD…” I whisper, more to myself than to Josiah. It doesn’t make sense, but the sign’s staring back at me. Is this happening?

Josiah looks at me, his face full of wonder. “This is crazy. But… maybe it’s where we’re supposed to be.”

I hit the ground with a thud. “Imani-Truth! Are you okay?” “Yeah, I’m good,” she groans. “Josiah, where are you?”

“Imani?” I call out, twisting around. “Imani-Truth!” “Okay, okay, let me help you up.” I reach out, fumbling in the dark until my hand finds hers. I pull her to her feet. She barely steadies herself before she gasps. “I can’t find my glasses!”

“Hold up, we’ll find them,” I say, dropping to the ground. We both start feeling around, palms brushing against the ground, searching. Then I stop. Something soft. Crinkly. I press my fingers into it, then lift my hand. “Wait… what is this?”

A voice cuts through the air, smooth and full of energy. “This is Finn. You better believe I talk.” Imani-Truth’s eyes go huge. “A—A talking dolphin?”

Finn flicks his tail, tilting his head toward her. “A talking girl?” He points his fin at her dramatically, like it’s the most ridiculous thing he’s ever heard.

She blinks. “What—”

Before she can finish, Finn does a quick flip and starts swimming in circles, his voice full of excitement. “Man, this is so rad! I haven’t had visitors in forever! You guys are gonna love it here!” I laugh, stepping closer. “Wait… so you really talk?”

Finn grins. “Dude, obviously. What, you think I just swim around all day doing dolphin stuff?” He shakes his head. “Nah, bro. I got knowledge. And let me tell you—this island? It’s sick.” He floats backward lazily, balancing on his tail. “Alright, listen up, dudes. This is ADHD Island. ADHD is, like, one of the raddest things God ever made. You guys? You function on a whole different level, man. Like, your brain? Totally built different—way more creative, way more alive.”  “This island? It’s your brain, man. Everything here? It represents a different part of ADHD. 

Imani-Truth and I exchange a look.

Finn’s eyes glimmer as he leans in. “You guys washed up here ‘cause, well… we think you have ADHD.”

Josiah stares at him, completely confused. “Wait… what?”

Josiah frowns. “Wait… ADHD?” 

You guys don’t have to be scared—come on in!” Finn calls out, his smooth, surfer-dude voice full of excitement. Without hesitation, I jump into the water, the cool waves splashing around me.

Imani-Truth, standing at the edge, hesitates. “I don’t know about this…”

Finn grins. “C’mon, Imani-Truth! The water’s totally rad.” She sighs, stepping forward, dipping her toes in. A moment later, she wades in beside me. “Alright, now that you’re both here, listen up,” Finn says, circling around us in the water. “This is my home—I kinda regulate how things work around here.” He flips onto his back, floating effortlessly. “And now? You guys are gonna explore different islands. Each one will transform you and teach you tips to help with your ADHD.” I exchange a glance with Imani-Truth. “Wait… transform us?” Finn winks. “Oh yeah. You’re about to learn some serious stuff about yourselves.” He lifts his fin dramatically. “Because here’s the deal—there are seven different types of ADHD! 

You got:

• Classic ADHD

• Inattentive ADHD

• Over-Focused ADHD

• Temporal Lobe ADHD

• Anxious ADHD

• Ring of Fire ADHD

• And Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD.”

Imani-Truth raises an eyebrow. “That’s… a lot.”

Finn nods. “Yup! And along the way, we’re gonna help you figure out which one fits you best and teach you ways to work with your ADHD, not against it!”

He flips upright and gives us a confident look. “So don’t be scared, dudes. This is gonna be epic.”

What is this place?” Josiah asks, looking around. A cheerful voice calls out. “Howdy there! Welcome to the Island of Body Doubling!” Josiah and Imani-Truth turn to see a goat farmer standing nearby, surrounded by playful little goats hopping around him. His overalls are dusty, and his straw hat tilts slightly as he smiles.

“Body Doubling?” Imani-Truth repeats, raising an eyebrow. The farmer chuckles, patting one of the goats. “Yep! Body Doubling is just an ADHD technique. It helps you get things done when someone else is working beside you. ”Josiah watches as the goats follow each other, eating, jumping, and running in sync. “Like a study group?” “Exactly!” The farmer nods. “One of the biggest lies from Distraction Island is that ADHD brains can’t focus. But that ain’t true! When we have the right support, we thrive!”

Imani-Truth watches the goats. “So just seeing someone working helps?”

“Sure does! ADHD minds love visual learning. If you see it, you know how to act it out! It’s a subtle reminder of what you’re supposed to be doing,” the farmer explains.

Josiah looks around at the goats munching on grass together. They seem more focused when they’re in a group. The farmer grins, tipping his hat. “That’s Body Doubling for ya! Now, y’all ready to learn more”

J

Imani-Truth and Josiah stepped onto the warm sand, marveling at their transformed appearances—Imani-Truth’s hair adorned with glowing seashells, and Josiah wearing a royal-looking jacket. “Wah gwaan, me friends!” called a cheerful voice. They turned to see Abednego, a tall man with a straw hat decorated with colorful beads.

“Welcome to di Island of Comorbidity,” Abednego said warmly. “Comor-what?” Josiah asked, puzzled. “Comorbidity,” Abednego repeated. “It means when t’ings like to come together. Like how coconuts often fall from di tree in pairs.” He picked up two coconuts to illustrate. “Same way, ADHD often comes with friends like Anxiety or OCD.” Imani-Truth nodded slowly. “So, someone with ADHD might also feel very worried or need things to be very tidy?” “Exactly,” Abednego replied. “Understanding these connections helps us know ourselves better.”

“Are there different kinds of ADHD?” Josiah inquired.

“Yes, some say there are seven types,” Abednego explained. “Each person’s mind is unique, like a rainbow with different colors.”

“Wow,” Imani-Truth said, eyes wide. “I want to learn more!”

“Come, let’s explore,” Abednego encouraged, leading them down a sunlit path into the vibrant island jungle.

As we arrived on the Island of Ways to Cope, I couldn’t help but notice the enormous book towering behind us, its pages filled with words like “mindfulness,” “behavioral therapy,” “counseling,” “training,” and “stimulation.” Suddenly, a gentle breeze carried the scent of jasmine, and a figure emerged—a genie with a vibrant parrot perched on her shoulder. “स्वागत है,” she greeted us warmly, her voice melodic. “Welcome to the Island of Ways to Cope. Here, you’ll discover methods to thrive and regulate your emotions alongside your ADHD.”

She handed each of us a small, intricately designed charm. The parrot squawked softly, as if echoing her sentiments. “People with ADHD often experience emotions deeply,” she continued, her eyes reflecting wisdom. “This depth of feeling can lead to remarkable creativity, making them some of the world’s greatest artists.”

I glanced at Josiah, who was listening intently, his fingers tracing the patterns on the charm. “Engaging in the arts provides excellent stimulation,” the genie added, “which can be beneficial for managing ADHD. Techniques like mindfulness and behavioral therapy can also aid in focusing and harnessing your unique talents.”

With a graceful nod, she spoke a few words to her parrot in Hindi before turning back to us. “Remember, embracing these methods can help you on your ADHD journey.”

As she departed, the parrot chirped a cheerful goodbye, and I felt a renewed sense of hope, ready to explore the island’s offerings.

Josiah takes off running.

“Josiah!” Imani-Truth groans, chasing after him as he sprints toward a wide, sandy beach. “Come on, I just wanna see what’s over here!” Josiah laughs, kicking up sand as he moves closer to the waves. Imani-Truth stops to catch her breath. That’s when she notices it—the conch shell in her hand.

It’s glowing.

Her eyes widen. “Josiah, wait!”

Josiah pauses, looking back at her. “What?”

Imani-Truth lifts the shell. “Every time we’re about to go to another island… it glows.” They both stare at it, the soft blue light pulsing like a heartbeat.

Imani-Truth!” I call her name, my voice sharp, breath unsteady. I’m looking for her, panicking. I just—I just saw her. She had the shell in her hand, but then it slipped, and now she’s gone. 

The guy on the run is shaking beside me, but I can’t focus on him. My head is spinning. The field stretches endlessly, golden light flickering through the swaying grass. I look around I see a sign the Island of Time Blindness. 

“Imani-Truth!” My voice cracks. The wind steals the sound away.

I don’t know what to do.

What would Finn do? What would my brother Jordan Abdul do?

I don’t know how to get us home. Imani-Truth always had the ideas, the plans, the way forward. She would’ve figured this out already.

I take a step, then another. My chest feels tight. Then I see it—a mound of flowers, too still, too quiet.

Something about it makes my stomach twist.

I push through the petals, my breath catching.

Her face.

Her eyes are shut, her curls tangled in the flowers, her breathing faint.

She told me she was allergic to pollen.

I guess this is what she meant. 

Sorry, sorry that's not funny I need to focus I look around. 

I squeeze my eyes shut, gripping the shell in my hands. My heart pounds as I focus, trying to see her—really see her. “I can see Imani-Truth right here with me,” I whisper.

She’s on the beach, holding the dolphin shell. It glows, soft and blue, like the light of a thousand stars. She’s smiling, her curls swaying in the breeze, the ocean stretching endlessly behind her.

I close my eyes even tighter, willing the image to stay. It feels so real. The warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves crashing, the way the shell’s glow reflects in her glasses.

The picture sharpens in my mind, as if it’s no longer just something I imagine, but something that is. There’s nothing stopping me from believing it—nothing keeping me from making it real.

A soft rustling reaches my ears. The sound of shifting sand.

Then—

“Josiah?”

My eyes snap open.

Everything is white.

Imani-Truth! You’re okay! You’re okay!”

I stare at her, my hands shaking as I reach out, examining her over. She looks… fine. No scratches, no bruises, just standing there like nothing happened. “What do you mean? What happened?” she asks, tilting her head.

Before I can answer, her eyes widen. “Whoa… Josiah, look!”

I turn, and everything around us shifts. My breath catches. "Your outfit… my outfit… everything…”

Our clothes aren’t the same. My hands move over the fabric—smooth, glowing, almost weightless. Imani-Truth does the same, running her fingers over the material like she’s trying to make sense of it.

The shell is gone, we entered inside it. 

“I’m so proud of you,” the voice says. “You’ve leveled up. You’ve entered your superhero state.”

I stare, my heart racing. Everything around us shimmers like a dream, but it’s real. I can feel it.

“All that ADHD can be—hyperfocus, creativity, energy—it’s all here. This is where you learn that ADHD isn’t a hindrance. It’s a superpower. A gift God gave you, meant to be unlocked at the right moments.”

Imani-Truth grips my hand. I look at her. She’s glowing—we’re glowing.

“You can work four times as fast as the average person,” the voice continues. “Your brain processes knowledge at lightning speed. As long as you understand how to use it, there is nothing holding you back. This… this is who God truly created you to be.”

My breath catches in my throat.

“And now that you’ve unlocked your ability to hyperfocus, you can see it. Genius. Brilliance. The smartest minds in the world had ADHD—Einstein, Da Vinci, Tesla—and so do you.”

Imani-Truth’s eyes widen. “That means…”

The voice nods. “That means you’re already ahead of the game.”