This Week
“Are you all packed up for school?” I heard from down the hall in one of the bedrooms. I was sitting in the kitchen, swallowing the last scrap of toast that would power me through the day.
“I’m ready to go,” I answered with a full maw. I slathered on some jelly for a premature treat as I replied.
“Do you have your key?” Mr.Gray was just putting on his uniform and grabbing his hat off of the coat rack standing in the corner.
“Yes, like always.” I was a little peeved, he even doubted, since the key never leaves my side. He knows that. However, I do feel as if I’m missing something crucial this morning. Like when you leave your phone somewhere and you realize just how much you relied on it. What could it be? Never mind, it can’t be that important if I forgot about it.
I tried to think on the thought some more, but my thoughts got canceled out by Mr.Gray speaking up.
“Just making sure...I will be working late at the station tonight.” As he finished speaking, a creak emanated from the floorboards beneath us. I focused on the ground, pretending to tie my shoe, while trying to detour eye contact with him. Tilting too much on one side, completely plunged off the chair hitting a loud thump on the ground.
“You okay?” My gaze rose as Mr.Gray lent a helping hand and assisted me up from my chair.
“Yup—just put too much weight on one side of the chair. Those are so wobbly,” I remarked as I brushed off his hands and stood up. Just then, he dropped to one knee and put his hands on either side of me.
“Milo. What’s wrong?” His words felt almost analyzing as he looked into my eyes, I felt as If I was on trial. I guess that makes sense since he is a cop, a good one at that too.
“Nothing...” I tried to respond as nonchalantly as Mr.Gray does, but even I heard the lie that slipped from my mouth.
“I know you too well. Something’s off.” He pressed, not going to let it go until I confessed to something.
I know what he wants me to say. He’s been wanting me to address it for years now, and with it being the start of this week... Of course, he would want to hear something, anything. For his sake, but also mine. Like clearing out a disorganized desk at school, where you know where everything is, but it still needs to be cleaned.
“It’s nothing, really. Just feel overwhelmed with everything going on... Can’t you take a day off or something? Unwind a little bit?” I suggested, trying to pivot the conversation, and generally wanting him to take a break.
“I wish,” he said wistfully. “But unfortunately, it’s not in the cards as of right now.”
Mr.Gray is one of the most proficient workers at working their job I think this generation has seen since Thomas Edison or, Alexander Hamilton. He is far from a lousy worker, from taking late night shifts when he has daytime ones to taking shifts so friends families can go on holidays, heck the man works an extra hour past his clock, before even considering time to quit! From all the time I knew Mr.Gray, I hadn’t seen him take a break before.
I frowned at that but didn’t want to push any further. He had already shared more than usual with me; I didn’t want to make him regret it later.
“Okay, well, let me know if there’s anything I can do.” I proposed.
“Pinky swear it?” He asked suddenly, retaining out his pinky finger towards me.
I smiled and latched onto it with my pinky finger. “Pinky swear.”
We held the pose for a few seconds before breaking apart, both of us smiling.
“Thanks,” he said genuinely. “Don’t mention it.” We hugged briefly before he rubbed my head, and started making his way towards the doorway.
“You’re going to be late!” Mr.Gray called out as I grabbed my backpack and headed out the door.
“I won’t be late!” I yelled back, though I knew he couldn’t hear me anymore since he already got inside of his car and initiated the engine.
I tell, and trust Mr.Gray, however, I haven’t been entirely honest all the time. Like... He doesn’t know it but, I told him school starts an hour earlier than it does. Some people would call me crazy for this but, it’s all because I want to walk with my best friend, Adrian. He walks to school early since his parents both work, so he has to be out the door quickly. So, I thought instead of us both walking to school alone, let’s walk together.
If there was somebody I trust more than Mr.Gray, it would be Adrian. We always have each other backs, and we both know exactly what were both thinking. Although we’re two completely different people. I’m the energetic, happy one, who sees the brighter side. He’s... Adrian.
“He actually made his way through the door. Good for you!” I hear Adrian wisecrack from across the street, flashing a thumbs up towards me and a smile to add to his bit. Then like a flip of a switch he goes back to being slightly hunched over and tired pair usually. His snarky remarks are something I learned to look forward to in the mornings since it’s some of the only time he shows a smile and boosts his voice a bit. Even if it is for a joke.
“What can I say? I’m pretty amazing! We walking today?” Seeing if I was going to have to cleanse my only pair of shoes from all the dirt and mud that gets stuck on the outsole of my shoe.
“Ugh! Don’t remind me! I hate these walks!” He groans, sticking out his tongue and rolling his eyes, having his arms descend and his knees shudder. Most likely from the thought of the walk we were going to pursue.
“It’s not that bad! Besides, What’s a morning without getting a pleasing little morning workout in? To get pumped up for the day?” I smile at him, slapping Adrian on the back to get his butt moving since it is kind of frigid. The sound of the slap was very small but its influence worked pretty well since he started to move.
“Pumped up? Do you need to get more pumped up? Seriously, what’s in your coffee?” He caressed his back, as he continued to get a move on. I laughed as I started to walk with him.
“Creamer, lots of it.” I answered, which made him look at me with big eyes, “That’s it!? Man next time I drink coffee, tons of creamer!” This was our dawnings in a nutshell, we talked and joked about each other as we were both forced to survive the cold weather together.
“Still, liking to walk in this weather? I know we’ve been friends for a long while now but... are you sure you’re not crazy?” Adrian suspects, since throughout our long time of being friends I continuously liked walking in the cold.
“87% Positive!” I point to my brain, to add to my point. My words came out optimistic and more poppy than usual.
“Only 87!? Eh, I guess I’ll take it Just remember, who was there to save you from the pizza shack situation.” Adrian, pointed to his heart in the same way I pointed to my brain, probably to tease me a bit. His tone is slyish and full of trying to embarrass and piss me off. All throughout his tone.
“Oh my gosh! I will never live that down!” I laughed, pushing Adrian’s side as he chuckled. “Wait a minute you didn’t promise my safety!” Adrian turned to me still laughing.
“Can’t make promises!” “Of course you can’t!” We chuckled together, all the way to the place I hated the most... School.
We chortled together, all the way to the place I hated the most... School.
“What’s your first class again?” Adrian peeped over my shoulder, as he saw me skimming at my classes on the sheet of paper in my hands. I need to memorize my 4th period every time I walk inside the building.
“As I tell you time and time again, it’s history! You’re in the class!” I reminded him, because he was particularly forgetful, so for our 1st, 3rd, and 6th periods I helped him out since we shared those classes.
“Right, thanks, Milo! What would I do without you?” If I was given a nickel for all the times he told me those exact words, I be a very rich man. Although I don’t mind it since he is my one and only best friend. So, helping him out is always a good feeling. “No problem, so do you want to go to the cafeteria or go to our history class?”
He pondered the decision of either eating more breakfast or going to sleep in the history room until classes started.
“History class.” His tired voice rolled out naturally as he started making his way there, before stopping in the hallway that would run up to our history class. “You coming with or grabbing food first?”
Pondering between my stomach and extra rest, it became apparent to me.
“I’ll grab some quick breakfast, meet you in the history room right?” I shined a smile his way as he nodded, “If you can, bring something back from me as well.” His voice, now out of energy, made its way to me still as he started to drag himself across the hallway making his way to the class. “Well do!” I replied, as I walked down the other hallway holding that smile from the thought of food.
Starting our junior year, it has been one hell of a ride so far. Between grinding classes till they were done, and just trying to find time to hang out and have fun we’ve had our few moments of tiring, fun, and random points. Yet, this year we share most of our classes and since Adrain moved closer to me, we can walk jointly. I’m just glad we can get to see each other that little bit longer as we finish our last two years of high school and both go on and pursue what we want to do.
As lazy as he is, he a genius who barely has to work for anything. Since his brain is his ticket to anything he wants to go towards. If he took an IQ test it be leveled around 200! Adrian although insanely lazy and seems talentless. Is the most talented one out of practically anyone, if only he capitalized on this brain of his he be a big deal! But then again, I couldn’t imagine him not being too lazy, or sleepy to not do something.
My feet starting to feel like a drag, as I finally make it to the cafeteria. The room is a lot warmer and inviting with this colder weather. The smell of food covers the area, leaving a good aroma. “Maybe it’s not so bad here,” I whisper to myself taking a step past the door with a smile.
My smile quickly vanished from the eyesight of football star player Jason Mitchell, standing in my way from eating. The moment he got a peek at me and smirked, I knew it was over for me. I tried turning around, making myself less obvious to him, so possibly, just maybe I could flee the bullying and the names today.
Just for the day, just for the moment. That’s all I’d ask for. Especially with today, starting the week of that day, this Friday. It’s not helping at all.
But what I came to realize is... Life isn’t a Disney movie. It’s going to hurt you a lot. Only the strong who can smile through the pain and prove everyone wrong can truly have the last laugh. I will have that last laugh. Nevertheless... He grabbed my arm as I was making my way out.
“Hey, walking away from me?” He violently yanked my arm as he wanted me to respond to his question which was more obvious to answer than him coming over here to bully me.
“Didn’t I ask you a question... Murderer?” There it is. The age-old name that has been branded on top of me since the age of 7... Murderer. I mean I guess they aren’t wrong either, it’s true what I did. I killed my Father by stabbing him right in the stomach.
On August 25, 2009, on a Tuesday night.
