(Book 3) Left 4 Dead 3: Dry County

Untold Stories: Wrong Place At The Right Time

[T.W.]: Mass Shooting

~ March 16, 2004

~ Dodge City, Kansas, U.S.A.

~ 0921 Hours

"This is a little bit disappointing, Mr. Keiston," the principal started. He leaned back on his leather chair and folded his hands on his desk. His tone was stern, but not angry. "I mean, Jayden's a good kid, does just fine when he's in class. But his grades plummeted eversince, looking all the way back to the start of this semester."

His face did not inspire any feeling as Dwain looked at the principal's old, wrinkly, fat face as he talked about his nephew. And the bland color combinations of tan, gray, and beige of the old man's suit did not help. The last thing he ever imagined was being called to the principal's office, given that he knew Jayden from when he was still crawling. Well, this is better than him being involved in any other mess. He wondered what was bothering Jayden. Was it bullies? A girl? Or does he not feel safe in the school? He wished he could talk to him, but Jayden had been distant and moody lately.

"If this keeps up, I'm afraid he won't make it up to Seniors," the principal calmly continued. He shuffled some papers on his desk and showed Dwain a chart of Jayden's grades. They were all red and low. "He's failing Math, Science, History, and even PE. He's barely passing English and Art."

Dwain felt a wave of disappointment and weariness. He slumped his shoulders and lowered his eyes. He wished he could defend Jayden, to explain that he might just be going through a hard time, that he was not a bad kid. But he also knew that the principal was right. Jayden was wasting his potential, and he needed to shape up.

"Look man," Dwain sighed and gently tossed the papers on the table. "I know you've already heard this shit a lot from other parents but, I know this kid. He's smart, intelligent, he just gets into some slumps sometimes." He hoped that the principal would understand, that he would give Jayden another chance, that he would not expel him or send him to some alternative school.

The principal smiled and nodded. He seemed to be sympathetic, but not convinced. "I know, Mr. Keiston, but he has to come through that slump and get back in there," he stated. "Kid's got a lot of potential, and we want to let him know that whatever's bothering him, we are willing to help."

Dwain shunted. One thing he learned about life: if they said they are willing to help, they aren't. They just want to get rid of the problem, to pass the buck, to wash their hands. He doubted that the principal cared about Jayden, or any other student for that matter. He probably just wanted to keep his reputation, his funding, his job. He wondered how many kids like Jayden had been pushed aside, ignored, or forgotten by the system.

"We're a team here, Mr. Keiston," the principal added.

***

Jayden softly flinched on his seat as the door was thrown wide, in runs his Uncle Dwain, his red polo thrown over his yellow top bouncing in every move. The 16 year-old ebony paced towards him. Their eyes met. His uncle's face wasn't painted by any form of resentment. But he knew he was disappointed in him.

"What did Mr. O'Brien say?" Jayden queried as they slowly walked through the hallway together.

"You lookin' at another time here," Dwain responded. He sounded calm, but firm. "They say you ain't gone make it to Seniors if you keep that shit."

Jayden sighed. It was also what his Math teacher told him. "Aww man, I'm in deep shit."

"Well what did you expect when you's flunking school back to back? They just be putting A's on yo' report cards jus'cause you's a keeper? You can't even keep a straight attendance in a week."