Detroit. •b.t.• (Completed)

3

Sage

I was now in my 3rd block, and that was a class that Eric, Laura, and I all had together.

Everyone was either sitting in the bleachers or sitting on the floor.

The actual gym teachers were nowhere to be found.

I wouldn't blame them for not showing up, because this was probably the worst room in the building.

There was a mixture of unpleasant smells, missing and discolored ceiling tiles, pieces of the floors were missing, mold and trash everywhere, and rats scurrying around.

I would have to talk my father into donating money.

I felt like the condition of the school was why almost everyone was so rude here.

I couldn't tell you how many people got upset with me for just being new here. I was 'taking up space'

"This is basically third block everyday. We don't dress out or do shit but sit in the bleachers or go outside, maybe. If they let us."

"Why maybe?" I raised my eyebrow.

"We were outside once last spring and 5 kids got shot up. 2 of em died."

"That's horrible."

"That's the city for you."

I imagined two bodies slumped over, leaning against a gate while three other bodies laid sitting up on the hot pavement, trying to apply pressure to their wounds.

I envisioned everyone running away from the scene, but no one offering to help.

After lots of small talk, the bell rang.

"You have first lunch, so you can go ahead and go to the cafeteria." Eric said.

"Thanks for the heads up."

When I was by myself again, I plugged in my headphones and went to my music library and immediately clicked the song that I wanted to listen to.

Are you insane like me? Been in pain like me?
Bought a hundred dollar bottle of champagne like me?
Just to pour that motherfucker down the drain like me?
Would you use your water bill to dry the stain like me?

Are you high enough without the Mary Jane like me?
Do you tear yourself apart to entertain like me?
Do the people whisper 'bout you on the train like me?
Saying that you shouldn't waste your pretty face like me?

And all the people say,

"You can't wake up, this is not a dream,
You're part of a machine, you are not a human being,
With your face all made up, living on a screen,
Low on self esteem, so you run on gasoline."

I took a seat at a lunch table because the food didn't look appealing to me.

I had a lot to learn.

I went and got my sketch book out of my backpack and turned to a fresh new page.

I was going to draw the scene that I had pictured earlier.

After five minutes of drawing the gate, I looked up to see someone standing above me.

"I'm sorry, can I help you?"

"I said you're in my fucking seat, so move it, new girl"

"How do you expect me to move a seat by myself?"