Stay Alive, Kenny.

Chapter 1: The Center of the Universe

"Kenny! We're going to be late for school if you don't wake up soon!" Karen shouts into my room. I groggily open my eyes; it turns out that my alarm hadn't gone off this morning. My mind is empty. What's it worth? What's the point in getting up if nobody cares if you live or die? Under normal circumstances people are afraid of death. They fear that one day they'll go through it, or they'll have to watch somebody they love go through it. It's just a part of life under normal circumstances. It's beautiful.
I do not live under normal circumstances. Out of every person in this world, they chose me. Out of all the people who are giving up their lives for freedom, of all the people making strides in science, I am the one who survives.
I used to be scared. It was terrifying every time I'd wake up. I remember thinking, "Oh... So it was all a dream, I'm alive, it's okay." I didn't piece together that nobody knows who I really am. My ignorant fourth grade brain couldn't comprehend the fact that nobody, not even my sister, remembers me dying.
I pack up my sister's lunch. She's in seventh grade now. I just can't believe how much she's grown. Karen has always been the pride of the family. She gets good grades, she's beautiful, and she doesn't let the fact that we're poor bring her down. The only reason I'm glad that I wake up in the morning, is because I know that I'm all she has, and I'm not just going to abandon her like that. Not after our mom died.
"Is peanut butter and banana okay, Kare-bear?" I smile at her.
"Yeah that's okay." She grabs her brown jacket and puts it on. I can't help but think she's going to be cold with only a jacket.
"How about you wear my scarf, today. It looks pretty cold out there." I suggest. She nods and walks over to my room. I place the sandwich in a grocery bag and stick it into her backpack for her. I hope she remembered to put her homework in.

•••

"Kenny McCormick, such a surprise to see you here." Principal Wolbach clears his throat as he sits at his desk. He's in his late 40's, and pretty nice looking for his age. Be as that may, he's got stern eyes and an attitude that could kill. He's not the kind of guy you want to mess with.
I got called in today for being late to first period, I assume. I haven't done anything wrong that I'm aware of. This isn't the first time that I've been late, either. Karen's school starts thirty minutes later than mine does, and I can't just leave her at home alone. I know that she's twelve and legally able to be home alone, I just can't risk her getting hurt.
"Do you know why you're here, young man?" He looks me in the eyes.
"I was late to Geometry today, sir." I speak clearly. I'm not afraid of him. I've gone through much worse things, and he's just a man.
"You have a D in that class, Mr. McCormick. You cannot afford to lose anymore class time. Is there any reason why you have been skipping out on that class?"
"Well, actually, yes, sir. My Dad's in prison and my Mom's dead. My older brother moved away when she died, and I haven't been able to get ahold of him. I've been taking care of my little sister for almost a year now, and I work long hours after school to get an income and often accidentally sleep in. Oh yeah, I also died recently." Is what I want to say to him. But if he knew that I, only a Sophomore in high school, am taking care of a seventh grader, he'd report us to Child Protective Services and we'd be taken away to foster care. Probably not even the same house. If I told him that I died recently, he'd think I'm insane and put me in a hospital.
"No, sir." I sigh. I take the detention pass he gives me and head back to second period. I need to let Mr. Kim know I'll be late to work today. I need to call Karen and tell her that she'll be home alone for awhile tonight and not to answers the door to anybody but me. I hope nothing goes awry, today. I mean, I hope I don't die.