2:42...
i watch the clock count down so slowly it feels as if it were going backwards. Ive done my time and after 12 years i look forward to this newfound freedom ill be given.
2:43...
i look over at my friend collin who is half standing in his seat, bag already packed over his shoulder
2:44...
One more minute-
And this nightmare will be all over... forever
My heart began to beat faster as I watch the clock slowly turn, soon this pain will be gone. No more agony. No more tears. Just peace and this war will finally be over.
It all started when I turned 4, my birthday was later than most so I set out earlier than them. By law we all had to go to this penitentiary every weekday to be controlled and manipulated for hours on end. We all wear the same uniform and eat the same undercooked, freezer burnt, slimy food. Yet most are treated so differently.
Despite that majority of us still hated this hell hole, some less than others, Some not at all... we stay away from those- their frightening nevertheless they prefer to be alone anyways. I learned my lesson after that one encounter during lu-
DINGGGG
"WOOOOOOO!" Someone cheered in the back of the class while we all grabbed our bags and stormed out of the classroom.
I raced out into the hall and threw my arms over my best friends shoulders, Collin and Jhanae. "Last, last day of school boo! How ya' feel?!"
"Anything but sad, I can't see why everyone is crying over leaving school." Jhanae rolled her eyes and started mocking people she saw emotional in the halls.
"Okay but we need to celebrate! We ain't doin' nu'n lame like that shit y'all pulled last time." Collin mumbled and grunted. "To hell if Im finna sit there an' watch y'all fan girl over sum singin' pretty boy."
I laughed remembering our sleepover last month when we watched Kane Brown music videos all night
"INCOMING!" We heard a yell behind us and soon all of us were tackled to the ground. I groaned and sat up to see Zylith, Aniya, and Gideon laying on top of us. "Sorry... uuuuugh-" Aniya groaned pushing my foot away from her rib cage.
"The fuck-!" Collin cursed and Gideon smacked the back of his head.
"Language!" Gideon got up and started helping us while checking our arms. "No bruises, cuts, ... does your head hurt When you move it like this?" Gideon slowly moves his head in a circular motion, urging us to follow along but ends up completely ignored.
"We're fine it was just a small fall... also what on earth was that?!" I question glaring at the three.
"Tried to scare you guys but I tripped on Zylith'a shoes and it went down for there..."Aniya pouted while doing her puppy eyes.
Jhanae rolled her eyes again and pulled her keys out her pocket. "Let's leave this building it's starting to make me more depressed the longer I stay. Bay city Grill?" She questioned raising her eyebrow.
"Bay City Grill!" We chimed in agreement.
Bay City Grill is a tiny but popular, and only, old diner in the southern part of our town. Something about it's style just seems to make us feel safe and at home as if we were eating at our own couch! We headed out the doors to our vehicles and one by one pulled out the parking lot temporarily saying goodbye to our school. Sadly we have to comeback there for graduation...
The diner was a small 10 minute drive from the school. Once we arrived there we always sat in the same seat in the back closest to the juke box. Honestly I hated sitting there and still kinda do. It was too close to the bathroom and the walls aren't thick enough to stop the echos of whatever's happening in there from reaching our ears.
"Hey what would you adults like to eat" Gladys winked at us already writing down our orders. Of course she knows our orders we've ordered the same thing every time we come here except for Jhanae who can't seem to make up her mind-
"Can I get that new smothered stake meal with a Sweet Tea?" Jhanae asked while staring at the menu.
"Of course you can Miss Nae and would that be all?" Gladys writes down Jhanae's order and clicks her pen.
"Yes ma'am that's all." Jhanae smiles at Gladys before she walks away then turns her attention back to us. "We need to have a grand party! We're no longer Seniors we're future college freshman!"
Oh hell no.
"Absolutely not!" I slammed my fists on the table. "The last thing I wanna do is celebrate a party with the same people I was glad to be away from. Hell no just us 6 and that's final."
"I agree with Poppy, I'll be damned if I gotta spend my night with two faced assholes" Zylith folded her arms before Gideon smacked the back of her head with a disappointed scowl on his face.
"Watch your language!" Gideon glares at Zylith as she rolls her eyes.
"How 'bout a road trip?" Collin questioned and shrugged his shoulders.
Actually that idea is not half bad... it's better than the party idea... but will our parents agree to it?
Screw that. We're adults now we make our own decisions! Road Trip it is!
"Yes!"
"No!"
We all exclaimed and starred at each other in confusion. "Let's take a vote?" I asked to clear the confusion.
"No voting wouldn't be a good idea if we want all of us to have fun not just the majority. We debate! Now who all doesn't want a road trip?" Gideon stated before we all turned our attention to Jhanae who raised her hand and looked through the group to see she was the only one. "Never mind road trip it is." Gideon mumbled and threw his arm over a very pissed off Jhanae. "Ease up it'll be fun."
I smiled at Gladys and gave her a thank you as she placed our drinks in front of us. I pulled my Cola closer to me and sipped on it as I waited for my food. "Okay but when are we going?" I asked while trying to pull an ice cube out my cup using a straw.
"Next Saturday, th' night a' graduation." Collin smiled mischievously. "I want this night to be a memory. The moment th' last of us get our diploma we all gon' run straight to Gideon's truck and take off."
"You just don't wanna sit through the rest of the ceremony." I laughed and shook my head. "And why Gideon's Truck?"
" 'cause it's comfy and has enough room for all of us an' our stuff." Collin stated.
"Okay but we still have to ask our parents." Gideon narrowed his eyes at Collin.
Collin mirrored Gideon's expression and smiled. "We ain't tellin' 'em."
_____
After we finished eating, we said our goodbyes and went home. Can I really just leave my parents and not say anything? Yeah the plan is exciting but what if they send the cops after us or something? Wouldn't we get in trouble for this? I should've agreed with jhanae about the plan. This is a bad idea.
As soon as I got home I hopped in the shower for a quick wash up and came out examining my body in the mirror noticing a slight bruise on my arm from the fall at school.
I then traced my finger along the stretch marks on my upper thigh and frowned remembering the times they weren't there. I shook my head then quickly got dressed in a large Band Tee shirt and grey panties before crashing onto my bed. I plugged my phone onto the charger and opened Snapchat to send my streaks before noticing the group chat was active. Taking a breath I decided to use this chance to tell them I couldn't do it. Right As I hit send Jhanae's text popped up on my screen saying almost the exact thing. After a bit we all agreed to have a small get-together at the Gazebo for just the six of us.
I tossed my phone to the side of my bed and rolled over slowly drifting off into asleep. No more school. No more teachers. No more- well actually more school to be honest, just transferring to an really expensive school- Really expensive... oh shit college fees... I gotta work hella jobs to pay that off.. work... taxes...ugh! Just sleep shh sleep...
Sleep was beginning to get hard as a harsh thought came across my mind.
Will a college accept me?
I hadn't even gotten a letter back like all my friends did... I kicked my leg out of my blanket and huffed in frustration. "Will I even be able to get a decent job at this rate?" mumbling to myself quietly.
If I do what if someone from class because my future boss- oh my god they'll remember the time my skirt flew up in middle school-
Why was I wearing a Black Veil Brides thong?!
Oh no... not middle school... why was I so cringe in middle school-
Not the Emo phase!
I need to stop thinking and sleep!
Ugh!
____________________
Anyone else had that wanna be edgy phase in middle school? :< That shit still manages to keep me awake at night damn.