Queen For A Day

Meet Manhattan

Junior year. The year of confusion, self discovery, and the finalization of your future in the United States. 

Well, that's what I've been influenced into believing. I mean having to make 3,000 different meetings with your guidance counselor for "future planning", getting 50 pieces of mail a week from colleges that want you, and having to take tests that have the scores that decide your future while juggling 3 hours  of homework a night and having a social life has influenced me into thinking junior year was hell. Which is why I, Mandy Sutton, was on the verge of a mental break down.

"Can someone please explain to me the necessity of mid terms?" I said while on the verge of pulling out my hair.

"It was an idea of our sick, sadistic ancestors who believed teenager were nothing but trouble," replied  my friend Jasmine.

"I thought we were nothing but trouble," said her boyfriend, Sebastion, wiggling his eyebrows with a smile.

"Correction, you are are nothing but trouble, Sebastion," I said angrilly. "Now shut up. I have my Chem exam in twenty minutes."

I could practically hear Jasmine's eyes roll. "Mandy, you don't need to study. You'll pass with flying colors. So stop bitching. Not all of us are as perfect as you."

"Well you could if you shut up and studied!" Jasmine harumphed at my statement before getting back into study mode as we continued to study.

Jasmine is my best friend, we practically cannot live without one another. We began our friendship at the beginning of freshman year then practically became insepearable by junior year. If I don't show up at school then she'll call my mom and make her bring me or she shows up at my house unannounced and raids my refrigerator. If she gets sick, I take care of her until she's healthy or if she's having major cravings, she'll pick me up then drive to the store and have me guard her while she grabs an abnormal amount of food for a 4'10, tiny, latina teenage girl. That's just our friendship.

Sebastion, on the other hand, is someone I could live without. To make it easier to understand, this is not Jasmine and Sebastion's first time together. He broke her heart and then she attempted to get revenge when she got him back, but then they fell in love again and so on and so forth. I tolerate him for he time being, but he's still on my shit list.

Unfortunately, the bell rang signaling the time to pass to your next exam. I sighed to release a ball of tension and depression that I hoped would calm my nerves. It did not help. Chemistry isn't really my thing.

"The only thing getting me through this week is the fact that we're going to New York on Saturday," I said as I gathered my notes. I have a strange attraction to the city. It might be the fact that Mandy is short for Manhattan or the fact that I was tired of living in a town where civilization is a half hour away and there were 5 people out of 350 that were not white. 

"I know, babes. It's so close I can almost taste it! Two more days until we're in Manhattan for the weekend! So do not, and I repeat, do not forget to pack tonight so that tomorrow I can approve your outfit choices," said Jasmine while getting her stuff and her pouting boyfriend in order. 

"I don't get why I can't come to New York! I want to go with you!" exclaimed the pouting boyfriend. 

"That's because you have hockey this Saturday and I cannot tear you away from beating your little teammates after the dreadful game you missed when you were sick," replied Jasmine with ferociousness in her voice. 

A spark of anger lit up Sebastion's face. "You're right, babe. So right. I don't understand why they could mess up that bad! Stupid boys." The spark faded a bit. "But I want to be by your side when you get to New York so that I can kick anyone's ass that even shares your air."

I laughed. "Okay Einstein, in a city of perhaps a million people, you're going to beat up someone who breathes the same air as your girlfriend? Someone will be tired. But that's what I'm for! All 5 feet and 3 inches of me! No one will dare touch your woman while I'm around!" I exclaimed flexing my free arm's muscles. "I am mighty! Fear me! Roar!" I said with attitude then proceeded to snap my fingers. Jasmine laughed while Sebastion glared. "But relax, Sebby! All we're doing is some shopping after a college tour. It's not like we're hitting the bad part of Manhattan. And we both know Jazzy knows how to act in the city so loosen up!"

He sighed then shrugged. "I guess," he said. "But if one hair is harmed on her then you're dead, Manhattan." 

I glared at him. "It's Mandy to you, Sebastion. And I am not the only one going with her! Sophia and Gabbi are coming too. So suck my-" 

I was cut off by my short friend. "Oh my god. Would you two just shut up. You two are so annoying!" She started cussing at us under her breath in Spanish, her native language. She tended to do that whenever my good ole pal Sebby and I got into an altercation. "Off to take your finals, both of you before I force you to drink coffee!" We both gagged. We hated coffee, one of the two things we had in common, the other our dislike of each other. 

"Alright, I'm out! Good luck, babes! Goodbye Sebby," I said rushing down the hall.

"That's Sebation to you, Manhattan!" called the nusance after me as I headed to Chemistry.

**

I stepped out of the hellhole called high school after finishing my last final of the day. The school I went to was full of hypocrites, bitches, and annoying fucks. I had been going to this school district since kindergarten and I've watched practically everyone that attended the school grow up. In a school like this, you know everyone's secrets and it's a possiblity they know yours. I, to be frank, did not give a shit on whether or not the people around me knew my secrets because I wasn't a fan of many, but day after day I would get up and drag my butt to high school to be nice and smile at those I liked and disliked. I was well liked because of this and had many aquaintances but only the best of my friends knew how I actually felt about going to this school. 

I absolutely hated it. 

I hated that the athletic girls were annoying and did not find a thing wrong with their actions. I hated that the athletic boys thought it was okay to make fun of people and girls fell into their laps. I hated that they dominated the general percentage of the school. And I hated that all my friends were drifting away from me. It was just too much to handle. 

I walked from the hellhole to my bus and rode on home from there. I, contrary to the belief of others, liked taking the bus. I had a car and my license but I used it for the days I woke up late or had somewhere to be after school and today was not one of those days. My bus ride was only 30 minutes long and that was doable. Bus time was the time for me to unwind from school. 

Once the bus had reached my house, I stepped out and headed right inside to be greated by my dog, Joe. This was the beginning of my new daily routine since I currently did not have friends. Jasmine was either at work or with Sebastion which meant quality time with me, no pants, and food. Next I would do some quick chores then sit my ass on the couch and watch television putting off my homework until at least 8 o'clock. 

As I was vegging out, my phone rang. Without bothering to check the caller ID, I answered and was greated by a very familiar voice. "Hello?"

"Mom, I hope you do know it's customary for me to say hello, right?"

"Oh! Hey Mandy! I wasn't talking to you! I was trying to get the attention of the drive thru guy!" 

I laughed at my impatient mother, "Okay, whatever you say. I bet you've only been at the drive through since I picked up the phone. But anyway, sup, Mom?"

"Hey smartass! I was calling to see if you were packed for tomorrow and if you needed anything."

"Awe how sweet! But I don't think I need anything." 

"So that means you haven't packed. Stop watching whatever crime show you're watching and get started!" she said exasperatedly.

"I can't go right now! I just found out the rapist is one of the victim's male siblings but her only sibling died in a car accident!" I said incrediouslly. How dare she tear me away from my only entertainment in life! 

"The mom's boyfriend is really the girl's half brother. Now do it!" she said before hanging up the phone knowing she would get an earful if I stayed on the line. 

I marched off to pack in disbelief and anger. She just had to ruin it.