The First Day "Away"

A Story by Jay Dean

English Composition 1 2008. Assignment about an experience growing up

The First Day “Away”

First day of the 9^th grade and already have a tainted name, that didn’t take long. Shifted to another alternative learning center within the school with the rest of the screwed up crazy kids. How long until I turn seventeen so I can get my GED? Too long, way to long. Hall monitors scolded me but made their comments quick, I’m just glad they were able to release those frustrations early on. The glass in this room is reinforced with wire, Jesus what a price to pay for the first amendment. At this point it does not matter what I do not say on the airwaves, placing me here is the only solution there is. Fifteen years old with a steady stare out a wired window, this sucks. The power I have discovered is also my downfall and at this point cannot be undone, Judge is sure to see to that. Walking outside with my escort during break, luck would have it that he stares the other way as something I used curves my edges, thank god. School, filled with looks, laughs, praise, anger and even jealousy but somewhere there is a chance to learn. The airwaves are my guiding light now and the night is where I belong, not here.

High school where I am popular but isolated, is it worth it? Its now to late to undo what’s done, might as well be content with what I started by accident, an outcast. Right then the ALC door opens to the halls with that particular sound of freedom in the halls, “Free Jay” said from students I have never seen. What the hell is this? I just want to do my own thing, I’m not a celebrity or a convict and this is f*****g ridiculous. Looking around the hall I wonder what twists and turns will come for others when a hobby they enjoy leads to a long road of trial and hardship. Almost halfway over and this chair and stare are as still as the statue I see outside confounded by wires.

Lunchtime and I can’t eat, I’m to angered with the fact I’m ousted even if it’s cool to everyone else. The hands on the clock look as if they are fighting the numbers in the same manner as I am trying to leave this place. Meanwhile the bell rings and the passing of students swoosh again in the hall, only four more times I have to sit through that until I’m out of here!, for today.

Time to leave and questions came as to where I was all day, I could only think of one thing to say “Away”