Good Intentions

Chapter One: I Don't Even Know Your Name

Chapter One: I Don't Even Know Your Name

            It's our natural instinct to have our lives work out as planned. As a kid we see our parents together. Their happiness makes us reach for the same goals in life. What happens when your parents aren't happy? When you realize they are just together to keep up good impressions? Your version of reality comes crashing down. The rest of your life is torn apart. The dreams you once had come crashing down. You face the harsh reality that life isn't perfect. You are forced to grow up or act out. In my case acting out was the only thing I was willing to do.

            The heat in this school was uncomfortable. Sweat beads started to form on my forehead and the back of my neck. I sighed, when will this torture end? I shoved my hand in my pocket and pulled out a piece of gum. Tossing the foil in front of me I shoved the pale green gum inside my mouth. The secretary, Mrs. Mary Pearson, gave me a stern look. I dragged the sunglasses off of my eyes and rolled them at her. I tilted my head and popped my gum.  

"Miss. Grace, Mr. Mollen will see you now." I raised my eyebrows and grinned.

"Mary, Mary, I would think we would be on a first name basis by now. I mean seeing that we have these lovely encounters every day," I shoved the glasses on the top of my head. Slowly I walked towards her with my books in hand. I spit my gum on the counter. "Hopefully not another day after my meeting with Dave." I shoved my finger in the center of the wad, making a little crevasse in it; causing the wad to stick.

I shoved the wooden door open, hearing the slight creak in protest like I have been for the past couple of years. As soon as I caught sight of the school principal I grinned.

"Dave! Nice to see you, how is everything working for ya." His office was crammed and cluttered. There was a cream colored envelope on his desk with my name scrawled on the tab.

"It's Mr. Holland to you. Mrs. Grace-" I sighed loudly, to make obvious my annoyance at the use of my last name.

"My name is Alice, A-L-I-C-E, again, A-"

"Alice have a seat, we are just waiting for your parents." He began to flip through my records. All the pranks I pulled, days I have missed, and classes I have failed were written down and shoved into a folder. My life was shoved away like it was worthless.  

"Don't count on that. Dad married his new whore and they moved as far away as possible. My Mom is probably out working or dating some creep off of Craig's List. Whatever it is you have to say I'll be sure and pass it along to my loving family." I winked and rested my feet on his desk.

"There are certain things this school will not tolerate and you Alice have managed to take it upon yourself to make each one happen." He handed me a piece of paper.

"Let me guess, detention." I looked down at the paper and grazed over it. My eyes widened in shock. "Expulsion."

"I will need a parent or guardian to sign that sheet." He pointed his old finger at the paper. "It guarantees that you will have somewhere to gain an education."

I grabbed a pen from his desk and signed the bottom dotted line. I threw the paper and pen towards him and stood up.

"I have been taking care of myself since I was ten, I can manage to get into another school." I pushed the glasses down from my head and onto my eyes.

"As of now you will no longer be allowed on this school premises until your expulsion is completed. Please take your belongings and exit the building." For the first time the door shut quietly behind me. I tossed my books into the trash can next to Mary's desk.

"Guess that's it, see ya whenever." I smirked and walked out of the office with my head held high. I never bothered to use my locker; I knew I wasn't going to last long in this place.