A kid named J.D

 Chapter 1

            Errrrrrt, Errrrrrrrrt! My alarm clock awoke me with a shrill head throbbing sounding. I looked over at my clock on my night dresser. I could hardly make out what my clock said, half empty mountain dew cans, boxers, last weeks homework, even old on old Chinese container that was from two months ago blocked my view. It was a wonder I didn’t have bugs in my room I thought as I looked at my alarm clock. It read six o’ clock. I stretched and rubbed my red tired eyes. Today was the first day of school and I hadn’t slept a wink because I was wondering if tenth grade was going to be anything like last year. I tried to wipe my mind clear of the memories of last year. It had been a horrible year for me starting as a freshman at Lowden High School. Walking over to the mirror I half tripped over Domino my cat. He got his name from being white with five black dots in his center. I studied myself in the mirror look for a sign of facial hair. I was fifteen at a mere height of five’ nine and I still hadn’t gone through a growth spurt. I hopped in the shower and took and extra long shower since it being the first day and all. When I step out of the shower it takes me two steps to reach my closet. I live in a small two room house in well, not the best part of town. My parents aren’t what you call rich. In fact we are just about anything but. My mom works two jobs and is to worn out be the end of the day to care about me. Mostly her cooking consists of TV dinners if we can afford them. If we can’t then we go without. My dad works two at the local gas station, when he not drunk which is not often unfortunately.

            The smell of bacon clouds my thoughts as I head to the kitchen. I squeeze past my mom and sit on and old oak chair passed down through two generations. It was passed from my mom’s side. All my dad got passed was alcoholism. Since today is the first day of school my mom makes my favorite. It’s like a tradition. “Here you are Jeremy, One egg with a piece of toast.” It may not sound like much, but usually I just skip breakfast altogether. I mean what us the point of eating it. I could eat or save us money. I choose the first choice. “I gotta go Mom I’m gonna be late.” I hear her say something as I walk out the door, but all my thoughts are concentrating on this year. Will it be better? Should I just drop out like my old man did? No, I don’t even want to resemble him.

            On my way to the bus stop I almost always witness a fight or a mugging. No matter where I go in my neighborhood there is always violence. Wow man did I sound like a hippie or what? Some kids came up behind me while I waited for our bus to arrive, I knew what was about to happen. Slap, a red hand mark stings my face. I can fell the tears welling up in my eyes. I try to blink them away, but it’s no use. The hot tears steam down my face. I fell angry, but most of all I fell ashamed. I have sensitive feelings. I’m not like everyone else around here. The bus comes around the corner, honking its horn at the neighborhood bum. Man, and to think our schools even worse.