In my house there are two rules: follow the rules, and don’t get caught if you don’t. My momma works all day to pay for the rent, and my dad was shot dead in a fight two years ago. We live in a poor town; drugs, violence, that sort of thing. My brother Kenny’s the only one in our family who does drugs; I always question how he gets the money to pay for them all. Tony and I try to stay away from those things. We’re always dreaming of movin’ away from this old town, and leavin’ everything behind us. I’ve never seen what a city looks like; the big skyscrapers and blimps. I’ve always wondered what it would look like to see it in person; it’s supposed to be amazing. The only part I don’t think I would like are all the stores. I’ve never gone shopping before, only for necessities like food, clothes, and my toothbrush. I’ve had my toothbrush for a long time, I make sure to keep it real clean. Not many people here have one, and I like seeing my white teeth in the morning. Kenny and Tony both lost theirs, and momma wouldn’t let them get a new one. She says it’s a waste of money, but I don’t agree. I like being clean, not many people in this neighborhood could say that, but I take pride in smelling and looking good in the mornings. Being clean prepares me for the city, with all the business people, and models, I want to fit in. Being clean is just the start.
People say I’m pretty strong; for my age, and for being a girl. I can throw a pretty mean punch, but I can kick even harder. I’ve never been in a fight; I’m always scared after what happened to Pa. Its scary thinking of dying, I plan on living real long. Seein’ all the sites, goin’ to all the clubs, havin’ a good time. I want to make Pa proud, get a job, a good education. The schools ‘round here aren’t the best, but I get good grades. That’s the only thing that counts in my book. My mom always told me to get good grades, and the rest would fall into place. For awhile I believed her, now I think that I have to put things into their place myself. It makes more sense; people don’t always have your back. It took me 14 years to learn that, but I think I finally got it right. I don’t think I’m going to have enough money to go to college, or enough talent to get a scholarship. That’s Tony; he’s got all the talent in the family. He can play football, guitar, sing, and dance. I just think; that’s what I’m good for. Thinking things through, and making plans, but that doesn’t get you a scholarship.
The bell rang, and I sat down at my desk. The top of the desk had writing all over it from years past. There was a green chalk board in the front of the class, with two or three pieces of chalk placed on it. The teacher, Ms. Reid, got up from her chair as students still poured in through the doors. People are always late, but not me. Ms. Reid wrote on the board, “No Homework.” That’s what it always says, and I like it that way. It means I’m free to do whatever I want when I get home. My brothers and I sometimes go to the park and pass around a ball or something when it’s nice outside. Ms. Reid went through the rows and passed out worksheets about verbs and nouns, and how to identify them. Easy stuff, the kind of stuff you learn in elementary school. We’re in high school and still getting the same things, people don’t understand it for some reason. It’s so simple, nouns are people, places, or things, and verbs are action words, and can be helping, linking, or action. We had ten minutes to complete the worksheet, but I only needed three. “Kelly, finish your work please.” Ms. Reid called out to me. “Oh, I’m done.” I replied back in a proud voice. “Then let me check it.” She said as she approached my desk grabbing the worksheet. Then she examined the sheet very carefully. “Kelly, your handwriting is way too messy, write it over, and please take your time on keeping it neat!” I knew she was lying, I’ve always had the neatest handwriting. She just couldn’t grasp the fact that someone in her class actually knew the material. I did as I was told, and rewrote it. My lines were slow and straight, because I didn’t want her to yell at me again for finishing so early.
That class went on and on, I made sure to go slowly on all her worksheets. She’s one of the more boring teachers; all she gives us is work. I think it’s because she can’t teach, but that’s just me. When the bell finally rang, I grabbed all my stuff and headed out the door. Then I walked to my locker, and my friend Carrie was already there waiting for me. She has dark chocolate brown hair, with the most stunning green eyes. It’s weird how she has dark brown hair and green eyes, but it goes with her flawlessly. She stood backed up against my locker, holding her books up to her chest. “Hurry up Kelly, I need to get home!” she almost yelled. “Why?” I asked. She’d never said something like that before. “I just really need to, can you speed it up there slow-poke?” She said again in an anxious tone. I could hear her heart thumping as loud as my locker slammed shut. I lifted my bag up to my shoulders, and we headed out. I could tell there was something bothering her, but I didn’t dare to ask.
