After I sorted out my enrollment and snagged my schedule, I can finally head home. Next week kicks off the 2nd sem here at City College of Manila. My probation officer, who's a cop, enrolled me here. Back in the day, there was no juvenile justice, and minors could end up in the slammer with the big boys, especially for serious crimes. But I got lucky and landed in a program by the Commission on Human Rights that's all about proactive rehab for kiddos like me who've done some heavy stuff.
The main rule: be a regular student and keep mum about the program. Blend in like a chameleon with the other students. Avoid any drama like the plague. They even hooked me up with a Nokia 5110. Told me to text if I need help with anything—like, anything.
Before bouncing, I shot a text to the contact number my precinct gave me.
"
CHIEF, HEADN HOME. DONE WIl/ ENROLMNT. GOT MY SKED. RGISTRR'S ASKIN F I WNA X-ENROL CUZ I GOT A LONG FREE PERIOD. WASTE IF I DON'T.
"
Trying to keep my texts under 160 characters 'cause each full 160-character text costs a peso, and anything over that is another peso. They gave me a 300-peso load, which I can grab from the registrar at the end of each month.
This is my life now since that nasty incident went down.