We Try

We Try -Prologue

  "Shit..." I mumbled under my breath, "I got a B..."

  "Sky what the hell? You got a B, that's great! I got an E and I'm pretty chuffed  considering it was a pop quiz, get what I mean?" I looked to Vivian, my best friend and a complete nutcase.

  "Viv, this is different, we have two more days before our End of unit assessment and if I fail that then I can't sit the prelim next month and if I can't sit the prelim next month then I can't sit the exam in May and if I can't do that then my whole future is gone. Out the window, adios, done, bye bye," I rambled quietly so as our biology teacher couldn't hear.

  "Girl shut it, you've been studying since last year for these exams, you work yourself too hard is what's wrong," She stated.

  "Well no I don't I work just fine, a good fifteen minutes in each subject every night," I replied.

  It was what was recommended by all our teachers, the people who try hardest succeed. To me it's just common sense. But to others it seems like an odd idea.

  "And what about free time? Family time? A social life? Sleep?" She raised her eyebrow at me waiting for an answer.

  I looked down at my paper not knowing, for once, how to answer that question.

  "Exactly," I saw her nod in my peripheral vision, "when was the last time you had a good nights rest? When was the last time we had a sleepover? When was the last time you sat with your family at dinner?" She fired questions at me.

  "Alright! I get your damn point Vivian! I get it..."

  I wish I could have all those things and the grades I get, it would be sheer bliss...  but that would be too perfect, it's like that end scene in every romance movie or book, you know the one? The cliche bit where the girl passes her exams, doesn't have bags under her eyes because she gets enough sleep, gets the boy, has the car and stops the fighting with her parents and it's all one big happy moment? Yeah, that's too perfect.

  Maybe if I try hard enough, I could get it all? A+ and all the nice side bits as well.

   If only...

--&--

"Hey babe," I turn to hear that annoying screech.

"Hey," I kiss her cheek and all I get is the horrible taste of make up in my mouth.

She grins at me as I step back, "Did you hear? Of course you didn't let me tell you..."

"Uhhuh, yeah, that's great babe," I replied, not even paying an ounce of attention to her.

"Martin," She whines into my ear leaning into me so that I fall against the lockers. "You have to buy me that dress! It's for our party!"

I snapped my head to her, "What? What party?"

"Did you not know? I told you like last week that I was throwing a party down at the beach for our anniversary! How could you forget?! Ohmygod! You don't love me anymore!" She stepped back from me eyes watering.

I mentally rolled my eyes and sighed.

"No baby, I do love you I just didn't realise it was this weekend, I thought I had more time to surprise you?" It sounded like more of a question than I meant it to.

Her expression immediately changed, "Awww Marty you're so sweet!" And then she left with her girlfriends, whatever their names are, who just drooled a puddle whilst staring at me.

"Yo MC!" My best friend Johnny came over to stand by me, bringing with him the rest of our group.

  "Nicely timed JB," I shook my head.

  "Well of course," He slapped my back, "I specially wait until the wicked witch leaves your side so I can take my rightful place as your lover."

  We all cracked up, Johnathan Bruce was one hell of a joker.

  "Dude back off will ya?" I chuckled.

  "Em... excuse me?" I turned to see a junior kid standing looking at me with a book in hand.

  "Yeah?" I asked, wary.

  "Me and my friends have just joined the netball team and we were wondering if you'd sign our hoodies when we get them?" She nervously giggled.

  "Eh sure? Why not." I looked at Johnny and he just shrugged.

  With that she ran off to her friends, to be fair that's not the weirdest thing I've been asked. And being the most popular guy in school I've been asked a lot of weird things.

--&--

  "Son, are you going to school today?" My dad asked as I sat down for breakfast.

  "Maybe, I'll probably just sit in the library or round by the pitches." I preferred it there than in the loud classrooms and hallways.

  My father nodded, "I'll be home late tonight." He reminded me.

  I just nodded in response and ate my cereal in silence. I preferred quiet, unless I was listening to music, but I usually didn't do that in the company of others, well, two others...

  "D'you want a lift to school Lucas?" My dad asked quietly.

  "No I'll ride in myself Da, thanks though." I smiled at him for the kind offer.

  He smiled back, "It's alright son, I'll see you later." And he headed out the door.

  I put my bowl in the kitchen sink and went to her bedroom. I sat on her bed and just contemplated going to school, she'd expect me to, she'd want me to... but really I didn't want to.

  With a heavy sigh, I grabbed my school bag, checking to see that my sketch book and pencils were there before heading off to another day in hell.