leave the square

CHAPTER 1

Entry 1:

About me: Gero Melbourn, I'm an only child. I'm a boy..scratch I'm a man.

I have a mother, Geraldine Melbourn.

Father is out of the picture.

peace out.

shit.

literary class

“Gero, can I borrow your pen?”

Hailey. The class princess. Nah, I don't fuck with that shit. “I don't know, can you?” her eyebrows met as her eyeballs roll.

“You’re always so mean—”

“Nah, babe. If you think my home boy always mean, you gotta take a look at yourself.” Jonas interrupted as he put his arms on my shoulder.

“Ugh! As if!” Hailey shouted offensively.

“Just sayin” I laughed with Jonas, it's true. I'm not a mean person. I just like humbling people that are so into themselves. They continued fighting on my side.

While they were arguing, my eyes were scanning Mrs. Winton—she’s as if walking towards my directio—“Mr. Melbourn, can I talk to you for a sec?” I pointed to myself. “Me?” She nodded and went to her desk.

I followed her until she has gotten to her sit. “I’ve read your entry yesterday.” I stay still, what is this then… “Look, I know writing is not your thing and so is many kid in this room. But I need you to take this seriously. Young man, I know you don't see it, but this will help you.”

“help me with what?” she sighs. “I talked to the guidance, I told them I could try to help you with this project instead of you going back and forth to them every end of the class. I know it's eating up your working schedule.”

“You didn't need to do that. I can handle it.”

“They agreed.”

“What? So you'd give them the journal? just so you can brag to them that you get to crack me up the way they can't?!” I couldn't help but scream. I hate feeling this way. Like I needed to be handled, to be settled. “Young man, don't you dare raise your voice on me!” she yell at my back as I storm out of the room.

mrs. Winton

It's dismissal. Everyone's coming out of the room and I'm just going in. Remember how I stormed the fuck out earlier? Yeah, A little outburst. I left my things, gotta go and get them back.

I walk inside and past Mrs. Winton. You know, I'm not mad. I'm just embarrassed that I yelled at an older woman. She looked at me and sighed before she started walking. “Miss?” I called out as soon as I got my bag.

“Yes, Mr. Melbourn?” I stood inches away from her. “I apologize for the way I acted.” I said with my eyes staring at the floor. “Hmm…” She murmured that made me look at her, she was smiling. “I will try and write.” As much as I wanted to convince her, I couldn't even convince myself that I will really write. “Okay. And Mr. Melbourn, even if I said you could write everything without censors, kindly use curse words when connected to the context. Not just because you wanted to.”

“Oh, aight…”