The Last Summer

Chapter 1

I sit at my desk, tapping my pencil out of excitement. It was the last twenty minutes of my senior school year, yet my teacher was trying to teach us something "important."

"So Macy, what are you doing this summer?" my best friend Hannah whispers from behind me.

Hannah and I have been best friends since third grade when a kid stole my toy for show and tell and she threatened him (with a really good threat from a nine year old).

I turned around. "For the thousandth time, as if my mom is taking me anywhere interesting."

"Then for the millionth time, you can live with me this summer!" she exclaims.

I laugh. "I wish."

I turn back around and try to focus on my teacher (not really). I can't wait to get out of jail. Oh, I mean school. This school is beyond weird. Our principal roller skates down the hallway and the janitors sing while working (way louder than they should; they're not that good). Not to mention we had the graduation ceremony the weekend before the year ended.

I know. Weird.

"Now I want you all to be able to do your taxes or you'll get bankrupt and you'll have no money and then you'll have to move back in with your mother," my teacher lectures while making giant hand gestures.

"I'll move back in with my mom over my dead body," a kid chirps. The class snickers at his remark, including me.

"I bet you'll think differently when you're in love and want to propose but you have no money for a ring," she snaps back. The class laughs even louder at this, some even ooh-ing. "I'm teaching you skills for life! I suggest you listen before it sneaks up on you and kicks you right in your butt."

The class can't control their laughter anymore. I have to say, we do have the best teachers.

"I'm not gonna have a butt by the time this class is over," the kid mutters rather loudly. "This has been the longest day of my life."

Everyone laughs and mutter in agreement.

Hannah taps my shoulder. "It's not like he's ever had one," she says so quietly, it's barely audible.

I laugh at her clever remark. My teacher goes on with her "useful advice," now talking about drugs.

"Never, ever consider doing drugs. It will ruin your life with the toxins and you'll die."

I just love how all of her lectures end up with someone dying or moving back in with family. Really warms my heart.

She lectures us more about what not to do or we'll die or move back in with parents until the last five minutes.

"Okay, I think I've scarred you all enough, so you all can roam the halls for the last couple minutes," she says.

We all cheer and jump out of our seats. Not literally. Wait. Scratch that. Someone just jumped on the desk and down on the floor. I hope the teacher knows we'll all be leaving instead of waiting for the bell. Getting out early is golden.

Hannah and I walk out in the parking lot. "I've got to go," I tell her. "I got a text from my mom at lunch saying she has something important to tell me."

She shrugs. "Okay, but if it's horrible and you wish you just came home with me instead, don't come crying to me."

I laugh. "By Hannah."

She waves and walks to her own car. I stroll over to my own and turn on the ignition. I crank up the radio and start the drive home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My mom seems to have known I'd be getting home now. When I walked in, she was sitting at the kitchen table with her hands clasped on the table. I silently prepare myself for the bomb she's about to throw at me.

"So," I say suspiciously.

"I got you a job," she blurts out.

My eyes widen. "What?!"

"It's at the local diner," she continues as if I've said nothing.

"What? Ew! That place is gross!"

"You start tomorrow."

I sigh in defeat. She act like I didn't speak any act of defiance. That's my mom for you. Never try to argue with her.

I groan loudly and march to my room. I'm not one of those pouters over something that didn't go their way, but this made me more upset than I'm sure I should be. I face plant onto my bed, eventually turning to my side because I couldn't breathe. Eventually, I fall asleep.