The Misunderstanding of Leo [Editing]

Chapter 1

            High school was supposed to be the best four years of my life. Say that to me now Principal Reeves. Every single kid is always told to make the most out of the so-called glory years, but that's a lie. Those four years can be used to destroy as well as build. Unluckily for me, I was utterly destroyed during my high school career. That is until I found them.

I was raised primarily by my father. My mom died when I was two-years-old in a house fire that left us on the streets for months. I don't remember much about my mom. I know she used to sing to me every night until I fell asleep. I know she was beautiful. She graduated from college when she was 24, fell in love with my dad when she was 26, and married him a year later. Apparently, I was unexpected. Dad doesn't talk much about mom anymore. He used to, but now he seems to have forgotten she even existed. The fire destroyed most of her belongings, but her diary was kept intact somehow.

When I entered the sixth grade, my dad and I should've seen the signs. I was always getting into arguments. My grades slipped from C's to F's. I didn't care to learn, or so everyone thought. I can still remember my "guidance" counselor reminding me that school is important, and even though I don't want to be there, I was required by law. Some freedom. I grudgingly accepted her "words of advice" and tried to go around the swimming letters and backward numbers. I became a C-average student in Middle School.

When entering the world of High School, everything I was ever taught was worth nothing. Each class became a one and a half hour of torture as I tried my hardest to focus. The teachers droned on through their lesson plans, showing no mercy to those who didn't understand, or even slow down for those who weren't fast enough. The teachers weren't the worst part. Classmates. Peers. Friends. Whatever you call them, they are the ones who ruined me. School became even more of a problem for me. Instead of only dealing with the failing grades, I had to focus on keeping my head down and avoiding everyone.

***

"Leo, get up before you're late for school." My dad's words and the slamming of my bedroom door bring me back to the waking world. I glance at the clock, hoping to see that I haven't actually overslept. The cold, green numbers stare back at me, and I rush out of bed.

"This isn't happening. I was supposed to wake up at 6, not 8! You're so stupid Leo, why didn't you wake up to your alarm?" I repeatedly hit my hand on my forehead, trying to realize why I wasn't on time today. My reasons would have to wait until after I was seated in the school building. I quickly throw on random clothes, comb through my hair, brush my teeth, and rush out of the door, grabbing my school bag on the way out.

The door slams shut behind me and I can faintly hear my dad shouting. "Watch it! I pay good money for this house!"

"Yeah right, I pay most of the bills," I mutter under my breath. The High School is only a block away from my house, one of the better things in my life. I begin to walk on my usual path to the school building, hoping to arrive in time. My feet tread the worn path that I've followed for my fourth year in a row as I begin to approach the school building. Glancing at my wrist watch, I almost yelp out loud and start running the rest of the way to school.

"Ten minutes, you only have ten minutes until school starts. You need to hurry Leo." I mentally chastise myself. "You're better than this. You need to wake up on time every morning, especially on the first day of the new semester."

"Hey Leo, do you need a ride?" A voice pulls me from my thoughts. I look over to see Sierra Lakewood and her friends in her car.

"I think I'm okay, it's only a few more feet." I smile and turn back to the path I've been walking.

"Suit yourself." She says, speeding off at a speed that would most likely earn her a ticket if a police officer was around. I laugh, resuming my previous pace, and continuing my path to school.

Upon reaching the school building I realize I'm not the only one who looks as if they woke up late. I look around at all the unfamiliar faces, noticing a face I've never seen before. I mean, sure, I don't really know anyone here, but this face I'm sure is new. I shake my head and walk to the first class of the day: Economics. Taking my assigned seat, I toss my bag on the floor and look at the whiteboard in front of the class.

Take out paper and a pencil.

Pop quiz today

Ms. Henderson's handwriting is scrawled on the board, giving everyone the necessary instructions to prepare for class. I quickly take out the required items as the bell rings signifying the start of both class and the school day.

"Good morning class, I trust you had a good Christmas vacation. A new year and semester have begun, so I expect to find each and every one of you to be rejuvenated from your holiday escapades. I understand that this is a new class since we pair government and economics as a year-long course, so I will be starting off this semester with a test of your knowledge of basic economics."

"Isn't that the point of taking the class ma'am?" I turn my head to see Sierra Lakewood's boyfriend Brian Adams.

"As I just said, this is only to test where your learning level is compared to the lessons. Now, I hope this gave each of you enough time to gather your paper and pencils." She turns and grabs a stack of papers on her desk. "Now remember, don't write on the test, and when you receive your test, you may begin." She goes to each row of desks and hands the first student the proper number of tests for each student in the row. Upon receiving my copy, I look at the first question.

1. What are the many payments for the factors of production called?

I slowly place my head in my hands. If this is how the rest of the semester is going to be, I'm screwed.