Marcus Beyond The Countryside

Three hours stand between me and my sentence to Jefferson High, a school teeming with half-minded delinquents, egotistical snobs, and overly affectionate couples. The urge to escape drives me mad, but I'm just a 15-year-old with nothing but a sob story and empty pleas. Henry, my ever-optimistic other half, tries to cheer me up with talks of "new stages of life" and "making friends," but I can see through his fake smile.

Our journey from our two-story home in the chilly countryside to the city is filled with mixed emotions. The vibrant city sign, "North Vincent!" greets us as we head to "The Green Market," a misnomer for a place that sells more meat than greens. It's here that I meet Sofia, a brown-skinned girl with curly hair like August leaves, holding a watermelon as if it were a pillow. Her confidence and feline gaze captivate me, and she surprises me by knowing my name from Jefferson High's classroom list.

Despite my initial disgust at the thought of attending Jefferson High, Sofia changes everything. "Welcome to the dog pile, Marcus," she says with a knowing smile. Suddenly, my mind is made up. "Dad! I'm going to Jefferson High!" I declare, eager to meet Sofia again and face whatever challenges lie ahead.