Orange, the color no one cares for unless the person is Halloween-obsessed. The color of medicine caps and traffic cones. It’s a color for craziness and awkwardness – the color for cheddar cheese that has a bitter, mushy taste. But you crave it when you’re hungry. When you overthink, your mind becomes discombobulated, and your ideas spin, making you anxious. The color for babysitting a manipulative child who tries to get their own way. A color that’s also my favorite highlighter shade.

Orange tries to be recognized, but its bright color persuades people not to notice it. It’s too loud and out there; it’s not simple like gray. It’s fun and full of energy, but sometimes it’s a little over the top. Orange isn’t calm like baby blue or as drowsy as lavender. It’s messy and awkward, full of nervous energy. It’s the color of hunger and excitement.

Orange pretends to be bold and confident, but is secretly insecure inside. They get sad when they’re bored, and scared when they stand out. When they’re moody, all the anger, sadness, and joy mix. It can be the warmth you feel when everything else feels bleh.

Orange is the kid who wears trousers and a button-up to school while everyone else wears baggy, holey clothes. They’ll be the one who sits in the first row and actually listens to the teacher because they like to learn. Orange fidgets in their seat; their legs shake when they get excited. Orange is uncomfortable, but honest. Different from perfect pink and shallow green. Orange knows they’re too much, but they know it’s who they are.