The Hard Knock Life

Part 1

Hi. Abigail Price. That's my name. How am I feeling? Don't worry about it. What are my dreams? That's for me to know and you to find out. But you won't find out cause I'm not giving you any hints and I'm not saying yes or no so life sucks for you.

I put my pencil down and tapped my fingers against the desk as I chewed my now ready to throw out gum.

I can't stand writing in journals, I thought.
Why do we have to do this all the time? You know what...

I raised my hand.

"Ms."

"Yes, Abigail?"

"Can we stop now?"

"Well, have you answered all of the questions?"

"No."

"Then no."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Well can I spit out my gum?"

"When you finish your questions you can spit out your gum."

My glare grew stronger. I kissed my teeth and walked over to the garbage.

"Abigail what did I just say?!"

"I needed to spit out my gum. You wouldn't let me spit out my gum, so I'm taking initiative and I'm spitting out my gum."

Everyone by then, had stopped their work to listen in.

Ms. Lawrence stood up, leaning an arm on her desk.

"I told you to wait."

"I don't see what the big deal is, it's just gum."

"Exactly. And you chose not to wait--"

"I just wanted to spit out my gum. You're making a big deal out of nothing!"

This foolishness went on for a while until she decided to call the principal.

"I don't know why you're calling the principal. I can walk to him myself.." I said, as I exited the classroom. "Jheeze. I don't know what you're problem is. It's just gum." I said to myself.

"This is what happens when you refuse to obey orders." She called out to me down the hall.

"You're not my mom you can't tell me what to do!--"

"The world doesn't revolve around you Abigail."

"Oh yea? Open your eyes, Ms., 'cause I seem to be getting a lot of attention right now!"

I heard the door slam shut.

I won, I thought.

•••

"What's wrong Abigail? Why are you acting up today?" Mr. Wright asked me.

"I'm having a bad day." I mumbled.

"Did someone bother you? Or..."

"It was at home again."

"Do you want to talk about it--"

"No."

He sat back in his seat and sighed heavily.

I fiddled with my fingers, not paying attention to the lecture he gave me about listening to my teachers.

"Abigail?"

"Yes, Sir." I mumbled still looking down at my fingers.

"I need you to try to cooperate with the teachers."

I looked up, not moving my head. "Why?"

"Why do you always rebel against authority, Abigail?"

"I don't know..." I looked back down, "I told you I'm having a bad day."