Just A Memory

The Boy

Serenity, my house

Tuesday, September 4th, 6:40 AM

My mom's always wanted to home school me. She doesn't trust schools, public or private. In her mind it's basically a death sentence, or something along those lines. Why go to a shady school with evil bullies and intolerable teachers when she could be teaching me instead? I always wanted to go to school, due to the fact that I basically lived in isolation and could never meet new people. Not that anybody would want to meet me anyways, but still, it gets lonely sometimes. My mom never listened to my pleas, saying hanging out with all those other children is a "bad influence", and again I never took her seriously but still didn't disobey (this time, I don't think I could actually disobey her, but still). Ever since my mother started to leave for her business trips more and more often, though, she decided it would be best for me to get an education that doesn't require her input too much; and I would not let her down by falling to peer pressure or whatever problems came my way. No stupid superstition or paranoia can prevent me from doing well... but missing my bus can.

 I slammed the alarm clock with a brutal force to get it to stop irritating me. Beep, beep, beep, I couldn't stand that noise! I didn't slam it hard enough to break it... I think. Well, that doesn't matter. Quickly getting up, I put on my clothes, brush my teeth, stuff some bagels into my mouth, grab my bag and make sure I have everything, and rush out of my house. 

There six kids I've watched hang out for the past 10 years waiting at the bus stop. They've already formed into their two friend groups, and with what I know about them and about myself, none of them would want to talk to me. I mean, nobody would want to talk to me; but these people made that fact clear as daylight. One group consisted of three girls. With what I've gathered about their personalities, they would seem to be the popular type, but I wouldn't know. The other group is made up of three guys. They seem cool and would most likely be some of the more popular kids, but again, what would I know. 

Before I can evaluate my options, I see something out of the corner of my eye. I look around. At first, I don't see anything. Am I going insane again? Attempting to push the paranoid thoughts in the back of my head, I try to focus on what school will be like and how I'll interact with people socially. Well, no time like the present. Time to introduce myself to some of the people here. I scan the bus stop again. There's the girls, the guys, and that one kid hiding behind his patchy hood just standing there silently, zoned out.

Wait. Who? Nobody's arrived at the bus stop since I last checked. Who is that kid? I walk closer to evaluate him and check out his attire. The most notable features he has seems to be the silver gold pendant he's wearing around his neck, or his almost cloak like clothing choice covering him from head to toe, hiding every other choice of clothing. I must've walked too close during my inspection, because he snapped away from his daydream and addressed me.

"Who are you?" he says in a monotone voice. He wasn't mad- but he sounded passive aggressive. With that dead of a voice, though, I couldn't be sure. Nevertheless, I was startled. Backing away quickly, I quickly lose my balance, flailing my arms to keep myself from falling. It was a lost cause though, and I fall onto the grass and mud, some of which splashes onto me. That was when the other kids decided to even acknowledge my existence. The girls started snickering and pointing at me. The guys all burst into tears of laughter, gaining an immense joy at seeing my failure. Ugh. Well, those six are a lost cause. Better work on not looking like a piece of garbage when I meet somebody new.

Suddenly, the bus horn blares as it comes to a halt. Everybody starts getting on. I couldn't let the weird things or bad interactions bother me. Brushing off the dirt and calming my mind, I encourage myself to not die inside before school even starts. It's time to meet new people and make some good first impressions instead of bad ones, and more importantly, perfect grades to achieve. As I get on the bus, I repeat this mantra in my head- "Nothing could get in my way". I am confident. I am ready. That's what I keep telling myself, but something in the back of my head says otherwise. I guess only time can tell which part of me is right, but even if I can't wait to see what will happen, I'm not sure I want to find out the answer.