I dreaded this day. My return to class. I thought of this moment every second since the attack. I did not want to go back. I do like school, but it's just the people I don't want to see. Walking there was the worst part for me. Just thinking about it all. I kept feeling like turning right around and going back home, but no. I was going to show everyone that I was strong. I was given the option to have the week off from school by my advisors, but no. I was going. I was proud of myself. Finally, it was the moment. I stood with my backpack on one arm as always and had my hands in the pockets of my black dress pants. This place was cruel. Drugs, violence, sex. That's all that ever happened in this God Forsaken place. Fuck my life.
I pushed open the large doors of Mayland County High School and walked in.
"...Uniforms? Really?" Anthony said as we looked at an open box on our table. A white shirt, black dress pants, and a grey-striped tie lay in front of us. This was about 6 years ago. My brother was just starting high school, and after the first week, they received their wonderful uniforms. "It's total bullshit."
"Hey. Don't swear." My father said in-between coughs. This was when he was still working from home as a virtual academy teacher. Before he started getting sick. Before my brother had to drop out of school to work his night job to support our family.
"Vince, when you're my age," He said and grabbed my hand. "Please run away and don't go to MCHS. Please." We both laughed. Even my father laughed.
We were all happy back then.....
I keep zoning out. I don't even mean to. It just happens to me. I passed the security desk, getting looks from the few faculty members inside. I entered the main building, and the hallway slowed down. Almost like in a movie, when something insane was happening. I guess being seen here was insane enough. Some slowed, some stopped, and some kept walking. But they all looked at me and talked. As expected from these people. I walked the hallway opposite of everyone, as I was late that day. Which they excused. I didn't look at anyone. Maybe a few glances, but nothing more from me. I kept hearing some say my name and kept walking. I couldn't have this right now. I got to my locker at around 9:17 A.M., classes had been in session for 12 minutes.
I entered my 13 28 45 combination and clicked the latch upward. Right when it opened, I heard my name again. But I knew the voices this time. I turned to see Billy Jade and Michael Jensen. Two more members of our group, but ones that I always trusted no matter what.
"Hey, guys," I said. And they ran over. Almost knocking me over, Billy jumped onto me. We fell to the ground, the contents of my backpack scattering. I shoved him off, and we both looked at each other with a mean expression. And then we smiled and laughed. We always did this. This was my first genuine smile in days. It was good.
"What's up, stud." Said Michael, helping us up.
"Well, there's-" I started.
"We know. Let's not talk about it," Billy said, looking at each of us. "Okay?" And we nodded.
"We can catch up later, bro." Michael winked, he was pretty weird.
"Yeah, alright." Just as we started to part ways our head principal, Jackson Brenner, waved to me.
"Vincent!" He said. "A moment?"
"Oh shit. Good luck, bitch." Billy said as they ran to wherever. I didn't feel like having a pep talk to me about what happened. I was so sick of people.
"Yeah, sure," I said. He stood up against the lockers with his arms crossed.
"I know everything that happened and your situation, I doubt you want to discuss it right now, but just remember you can go to Ms. Beecher whenever you need to talk." He said, in an annoyingly cheery tone. I did like him though, sometimes.
"Thank you, sir," I said. "I know." He nodded, moistened his lips, and nodded again.
"If anyone, absolutely anyone," He said while putting his hand on my shoulder. "Gives you any problems today about anything, tell me and I'll have them put into place. I mean it." He reassured.
"I know. I will," I said. "Seriously, it means a lot. Thank you." I meant this, for once.
"Anytime." He said. That was the quickest talk I've ever had with him. I never have to talk with him usually, but still. I finished gathering my things for the first three periods and walked off. Thoughts of revenge were still in my head. I couldn't trust my friends. If only Regan were here. I walked the five-minute walk to my first-period class, automotive tech.
Ceasing my violent thoughts, I entered the classroom...