I'm a Walking Travesty (Adopted by Tony Perry)

Chapter 9

It is the end of the summer now and it's about time for school to start. Tour will be starting in about a month and a half. My vision is partially back although I am still legally blind. My vision is well enough that I can see shadows of people and I don't normally run into too much anymore.

I'm completely off the crutches now which I'm happy about. I recorded the song with Alex successfully; although, he decided to wait off on the music video until I can see things, even if it's blurry. I've done some recording for my band. Both the record label and my band are shocked about how insistent I am on not letting myself being mostly blind hold me back.

I walk with Kyra, Clay, Reggie, and Leah to the school office. "Hi, you guys must be our new students. Don't worry, you guys will all fit in well. We have been informed of the fact that Kyra, Rachel, Clay, and Reggie are in a band that will be going on tour in about a month and a half. We have also been informed that Rachel is blind. Are you sure you want to be in the regular classes, honey? We can put you in classes that are more accessible for you."

I bite my lip to prevent myself from making a completely irritated response. "I'm fine. I don't want to be treated differently. My vision is getting better and I function fine in the regular world." "Ma'am, she is very functional. We've been writing our album and she is doing just as much as normal regardless of the fact that she is legally blind. She wishes to not be treated differently."

I am shocked that Kyra said anything to authority. "Very well. Here are your schedules. A student will be here to give you guys a tour in about 5 minutes. Our school is K-12. The student who is bringing you on the tour is in 7th grade but she has been in the school since kindergarten. She knows the school very well even though most of the classes are at the most three grade levels in them."

I nod. I hear someone come in. "Hi, I'm Bandit Way, although judging by the fact that one of you are wearing a My Chemical Romance shirt you probably already know that. I know four of you, I like your band by the way, but what's your name?" "I'm Leah Fuentes. I was adopted by Vic about two months ago."

I assume Bandit nods. "Can you go step-by-step to Rachel's classes and then lead us around the rest of the school?" I feel Kyra hold my hand and we begin walking. I count my steps as we're walking. We stop. "How many steps?" "103." I like that Kyra is willing to help me with that.

"This is your first period class, music theory with Mr Warhanger." I nod. She leads me through my schedule. I'm still really confused and partially lost. She shows the others their classes. "Okay, hope your guys have a nice day." She wanders off.

Kyra taps on my shoulder. "All of your teachers are aware. They will understand if you are late." "I'm going to get lost." "You'll be fine, I promise. We're back where we started. You can lead us to first period. None of us have second with you but I'll remind you steps before leaving first." I begin walking towards where I remember first period to be, counting my steps carefully.

I stop at 103. She walks in, hand and hand with me. "Hi, you must be our new students. Have a seat." Kyra leads me over to presumably two empty desks. I hear the bell ring and I jump a little. "So I know most of you have recognized we have two new students in our class. There are five of them new to the school. Rachel and Kyra, do you want to introduce yourselves?"

I feel a small amount of panic rise through me. I hear Kyra stand up. "I'm Kyra and that is Rachel. She is for the most part pretty shy though. We both moved here from Puyallup, Washington along with the other two members of our band. Our best friend from our school happened to move down here about a month later."

"Aren't you guys in the band Dire Chaos?" I flinch a little. I really didn't want anyone to know us. "Yeah." "Rachel doesn't seem shy. I saw a video of you guys playing and she wasn't shy." "She is outside of when we are performing." I hear Kyra sit down. "Do you guys all do songwriting?" "Rachel does most of it. Reggie does second most, I do third most and Clay doesn't do pretty much any. We both have pieces we've completely written on our own for the most recent album."

"Do either of you mind sharing them?" I bite my lip before speaking up. "Do you mind when they have darker themes?" "How dark?" "Really dark." "Probably not." I nod. I hand him one paper. "This is probably the least dark one. I didn't completely write it on my own but I mostly did with a small amount of my uncle's help."

There is a few moments of silence. "Do you mind if I read it out?" "No, go ahead." I listen to him read it and then everyone claps. I see the shadow of the paper and I grab it lightly before putting it back in my folder by order.

"We're going to do a big game/challenge for the next few weeks. It will be my gauge for your guy's songwriting abilities. You guys are going to write them and you will all have a number that you will draw from a hat. You will put your assignments in your folder. It will be completely anonymous unless you choose to make your number known but it will just allow me to see where you guys all are. I would like three songs a week for the next three weeks so I will hopefully have a total of 180 songs, or 9 from each of you. All of the next three weeks in this class will be free periods meaning you can do whatever during this class period."

He lets us go. He comes up to me. "Are you able to do this?" I nod. "I don't want to be treated any differently. Can I listen to music?" "Go ahead." I plug in my earbuds and turn on my dad's music, letting Uncle Vic's voice fill my ears.

I continue writing until Kyra taps my arm. I put the paper away and she talks. "97 steps going right to your next class. No one else is in it so make sure you talk to the teacher." I nod a little and give her a light hug. I begin walking right counting my steps not focusing on my surroundings.

I run into someone and fall backwards to the ground. "Watch where you are going, fag." I am dragged into an unknown room and kicked multiple times. They finish and my ribs feel like they are burning with every breath. Suddenly, my shirt is taken off and I am kicked directly to my head, stunning me.

Something is held over my mouth and I get dizzy. I pass out.