Chapter One: School's Out, Fun's In
Sarah
:
I have been waiting for summer all year long like I do every year, except this year I want to have fun, because next year I will be a senior and I won't have time to focus on anything but college and grades.
So this summer I'm going all out.
People say there is no such thing as knowing what you want to do at this age, I've heard adults talk about it in guidance counseling, saying that it's okay if you don't know what you want to do yet or at this age you most likely won't know what you want to do.
Yet I know exactly what I want to do.
People say there is no such thing as knowing what you want to do at this age, I've heard adults talk about it in guidance counseling, saying that it's okay if you don't know what you want to do yet or at this age you most likely won't know what you want to do.
Yet I know exactly what I want to do.
It has always been a dream of mine.
I want to become an musician, I know that doesn't fit into the world that my parents had in mind, me going to Yale — to study Law but I didn't want that, I wanted to branch off on my own and do the things I want to do. I have great grades because my parents have been drilling into me since I could walk.
“Study hard Sarah.”
“Do you want to be flipping burgers at a restaurant Sarah?”
“Life is not something you throw away, it’s something you get right Sarah.”
“Musicians don’t make money, that’s not a career Sarah.”
“We just want you to succeed in life —.”
I have heard these things since I was in elementary school and I picked up my first instrument to play in music class. When I couldn’t put the instrument down, when I drifted into another world, when I felt something beyond myself — I knew being a musician was what I wanted to do.
It’s about me and what I want in life. Not what my parents want for me. Sure they only want the best, but I do too, and the best for me is doing what I love.
…
Which is why this summer I made a bucket list, I plan to check off everything on there.
Sarah's Bucket List
1.) Go Skinny Dipping.
2.) Kiss a random stranger.
3.) Go to the movies and get kicked out.
4.) Egg someone’s house.
5.) Meet new people.
6.) Go to every Party there is during summer.
7.) Get drunk at least at one of those parties.
8.) Flash a group of Boys.
9.) Sneak a guy into my house.
10.) Play Truth or Dare.
I realize that number eight could be a little extreme, but hey I have never done any of these things and at some point every teenager has done at least six of them.
Sarah's Bucket List
1.) Go Skinny Dipping.
2.) Kiss a random stranger.
3.) Go to the movies and get kicked out.
4.) Egg someone’s house.
5.) Meet new people.
6.) Go to every Party there is during summer.
7.) Get drunk at least at one of those parties.
8.) Flash a group of Boys.
9.) Sneak a guy into my house.
10.) Play Truth or Dare.
I realize that number eight could be a little extreme, but hey I have never done any of these things and at some point every teenager has done at least six of them.
If not all the of them, plus I have to start living my life now because when summer ends and I didn't have fun I'm going to have regrets for the rest of my life.
Considering the fact that the upcoming year will be full of studying and trying to please my parents until I actually get the nerve to make them see that becoming a lawyer isn’t for me.
….
….
So onward towards fun!
….
I have two best friends both of which are girls, I tell them everything.
We have all known each other since the second grade, we did everything together when we were little it's changed a bit since we moved up in grade schools but it pretty much stayed the same.
We still try to spend as much time as we can with one another. When my schedule allows it during school. But, especially during the summer — all we do is hang out with each other.
We normally go to arcades and go to Universal Studios or we all go on a trip that our families have planned for the summer before every summer.
We normally go to arcades and go to Universal Studios or we all go on a trip that our families have planned for the summer before every summer.
Either way we end up spending a lot of time together over the summer and sometimes in school, but more so in the summer.
In school we just each lunch together and ride home with each other on occasions, maybe study together every now and then.
…
Here’s a little info about my friends…
…
Danielle Struber: is the outgoing, pretty, fun type. (Has a new date every other weekend.)
Kiara Daniels: is the smart, pretty, diva type (never really has to find a date, they always find her.)
We all compliment each other really. Believe it or not, our differences blend out as a group. If anything we are closer because of our differences.
Danielle: "So are you ready for summer?"
She says as she is eating her sandwich she brought for lunch. As if we were still in elementary when her mother packed her lunches.
Thinking about this I couldn’t help but chuckle. She may have aged, but she still keeps her originality, which is hard to find in teenage students. Especially ones that are hormonal and consistently change and change their minds.
…
Seeing that today is our last day in school you would have thought she would have wanted to try something different maybe eat the school's lunch for once, but never mind that is definitely not Danielle and is definitely NOT happening.
…
Kiara: “I'm totes ready, I heard my mom, your mom and Sarah's mom talking this morning and they want us to stay here for the summer, give our trips a break, allow us to stay here and make some new friends, meet new people...you know?” “She says that we only hang out with each other and it’d be good for us to befriend some new people.”
"Yeah I get that, that would be cool. We would still hang out, but take time out for ourselves right?"
…
Kiara: “I'm totes ready, I heard my mom, your mom and Sarah's mom talking this morning and they want us to stay here for the summer, give our trips a break, allow us to stay here and make some new friends, meet new people...you know?” “She says that we only hang out with each other and it’d be good for us to befriend some new people.”
"Yeah I get that, that would be cool. We would still hang out, but take time out for ourselves right?"
“But we’re still going to catch up on the latest shows, I’m not missing Keeping Up With The Kardashians, especially not now that Scott is jealous of Kourt’s newfound relationship, hell no!”
Kiara: "Right, exactly! Yeah, I totes agree, we gotta get back to our shows at Dani’s house."
Danielle: "I agree too, and yeah we’re definitely not missing KUWTK!” “This is going to be so much fun no matter what we do together or apart, I feel like the summer is going to be so amazing, especially since next year will be our senior year!"
She giggles knowing that we will most likely see each other first. I giggle to at the thought, so does Kiara.
Kiara: "Right, exactly! Yeah, I totes agree, we gotta get back to our shows at Dani’s house."
Danielle: "I agree too, and yeah we’re definitely not missing KUWTK!” “This is going to be so much fun no matter what we do together or apart, I feel like the summer is going to be so amazing, especially since next year will be our senior year!"
She giggles knowing that we will most likely see each other first. I giggle to at the thought, so does Kiara.
I'm glad we all agree we could use this time to get to know ourselves this summer, have a little time apart, but still do a lot together!
We have spent so much time together I'm sure it will feel awkward being apart for a little bit, but the distance is what we need so that we don't suffocate each other with our personalities, especially since we are getting older, and we are going in different directions.
Because we've been together pretty much all our lives and now is the time to get to know other people and ourselves so that we can grow as a girl group.
…
…
The bell rings…
"All right guys you know our teachers will kill us if we’re late. I can’t afford a detention on my record, you guys know my parents." I say as we all roll our eyes.
I’m honestly surprised that my parents even let me hang out with my friends — let alone have friends at all.
…
Kiara: "Bye guys, I'll see you after school?"
Danielle: "Yeah definitely, then we'll talk."
"Absolutely, k bye luvs!"
We always say bye to each other as we go to our separate classes.
…
Kiara: "Bye guys, I'll see you after school?"
Danielle: "Yeah definitely, then we'll talk."
"Absolutely, k bye luvs!"
We always say bye to each other as we go to our separate classes.
I headed to mine which is gym class, which I sucked at, but remained with an A in the class, I don't know how I pulled it off, but I did.
…
Coach Dillon: "Ms. Gellen you're partnering up with Tyler."
"Oh come on really, anyone but him, please?!"
Coach Dillon: "Nope, deal with it Gellen."
I huff as I begrudgingly walk over to Tyler — holding his feet down as he does his sit-ups.
While he does them I don't say anything, and avoid talking to him.
Coach Dillon: "Ms. Gellen you're partnering up with Tyler."
"Oh come on really, anyone but him, please?!"
Coach Dillon: "Nope, deal with it Gellen."
I huff as I begrudgingly walk over to Tyler — holding his feet down as he does his sit-ups.
While he does them I don't say anything, and avoid talking to him.
I cannot believe I'm stuck being his partner right now, I've done everything and anything to avoid him, absolutely everything, I was careful the remainder of the year. Ugh of course my luck is not present when I need it.
Now all of a sudden he's my partner in Gym class on the last day of school how ironic is that!
As I was thinking he had finished, and now it was my turn.
Tyler: "You do know that avoiding me is like a musician trying to avoid their instrument it's inevitable."
"Bite me Tyler."
Tyler: "I'd love too, tell me where."
"You're gross, I hope you fall on your ass on the way out to your car today. Jeez could you become anymore of an asshole."
Tyler: "I can if you ask nicely. Just keep doing your sit-ups dork. Anyway, ugly Betty what have you been up to besides being a total kiss-ass student, ruining people’s relationships, and fooling everyone of who you really are."
"Oh go to hell. You ruined your own relationship, no one told you to cheat on Kiara, you made that decision on your own. I just simply shed light on the situation."
Tyler: "I was going to tell her before you butted in, and went sticking your nose in places it didn't belong."
"You got what you deserved, I'm just glad she saw you for who you really were, what I knew you were all along — jeez you’re such a dick."
And with that I shoved his hands off my feet and jogged to the bathroom. I stayed in there till near the end of class.
Now all of a sudden he's my partner in Gym class on the last day of school how ironic is that!
As I was thinking he had finished, and now it was my turn.
Tyler: "You do know that avoiding me is like a musician trying to avoid their instrument it's inevitable."
"Bite me Tyler."
Tyler: "I'd love too, tell me where."
"You're gross, I hope you fall on your ass on the way out to your car today. Jeez could you become anymore of an asshole."
Tyler: "I can if you ask nicely. Just keep doing your sit-ups dork. Anyway, ugly Betty what have you been up to besides being a total kiss-ass student, ruining people’s relationships, and fooling everyone of who you really are."
"Oh go to hell. You ruined your own relationship, no one told you to cheat on Kiara, you made that decision on your own. I just simply shed light on the situation."
Tyler: "I was going to tell her before you butted in, and went sticking your nose in places it didn't belong."
"You got what you deserved, I'm just glad she saw you for who you really were, what I knew you were all along — jeez you’re such a dick."
And with that I shoved his hands off my feet and jogged to the bathroom. I stayed in there till near the end of class.
…
Let me clue you in…
Tyler is the certified asshole that cheated on my best friend Kiara. She was absolutely in love with him, and he just threw it all away from some cheap night with some random girl.
I'm not going to feel sorry for that egotistical, arrogant, selfish dick — he got what he deserved.
…
The day ended and I was honestly so grateful for that. I was honestly happy and exhausted at the same time.
…
The day ended and I was honestly so grateful for that. I was honestly happy and exhausted at the same time.
I met Kiara and Danielle outside of our parking spot so we could ride home together like we always do, when they arrived to the car we all got in, it's not that I didn't have a car it's just that my dad told me I would get the car my senior year.
Luckily for Kiara she got hers this year at the beginning of the year, which I am grateful for because I didn't have to ride the bus and I get to spend even more time with them during school time, but I was also jealous because she was able to get her car — I wasn't yet.
Danielle: "Guys I thought really hard about this summer and my mom said if I wanted I could go stay with my Aunt that lives in New York for the summer I could, I plan to go.” “I’m sorry I didn't tell you guys sooner, I just wasn't sure if I would go and I didn't want to tell you guys until I was sure."
Kiara: "That's great! We would never keep you from experiencing life, we applaud that shit. When are you leaving for New York?!!"
Danielle: "This afternoon actually. I'm actually so excited!"
"I'm so happy for you Danielle! You better take pictures for me and Ki...and bring us back some souvenirs — oooo and have a fling or two — have some fun."
Kiara: "Yeah, I agree with Sarah, you better bring us back a souvenir, and have a fling — I’m making it mandatory for you to have two.” “While we are telling each other our plans for this summer, I'm going away too guys! My dad wants me to get to know the other side of my family, and they invited me to stay with them this summer and I said yes, so I'll be going to Virginia!"
"I'm so happy for you as well Kiara, omg but I’m going to be here by myself!" I say pouting.
Danielle: "I'm happy for you too Kiara...We’re both going to miss you Sarah — you’re our other half.” She says pouting too. “I just know this summer is going to be so much fun! Sarah what are you doing this summer?"
"I'm staying here, but don't worry I have me a bucket list and I plan on doing everything on it, and have a shit ton of fun! Don’t worry about me, I’m going to make you guys proud.” I say as we all laugh. “I want you guys to have fun okay!"
Danielle: "I want to see that bucket list when I get back Sarah, I didn’t even know you had one, but I want every detail, okay?!"
Kiara: "Yeah me too! That will be the first thing I look at when I get back."
As we arrived at my home first they dropped me off and we said our goodbyes, we hugged and then they left. We were already becoming independent, I couldn't be more happier.
Luckily for Kiara she got hers this year at the beginning of the year, which I am grateful for because I didn't have to ride the bus and I get to spend even more time with them during school time, but I was also jealous because she was able to get her car — I wasn't yet.
Danielle: "Guys I thought really hard about this summer and my mom said if I wanted I could go stay with my Aunt that lives in New York for the summer I could, I plan to go.” “I’m sorry I didn't tell you guys sooner, I just wasn't sure if I would go and I didn't want to tell you guys until I was sure."
Kiara: "That's great! We would never keep you from experiencing life, we applaud that shit. When are you leaving for New York?!!"
Danielle: "This afternoon actually. I'm actually so excited!"
"I'm so happy for you Danielle! You better take pictures for me and Ki...and bring us back some souvenirs — oooo and have a fling or two — have some fun."
Kiara: "Yeah, I agree with Sarah, you better bring us back a souvenir, and have a fling — I’m making it mandatory for you to have two.” “While we are telling each other our plans for this summer, I'm going away too guys! My dad wants me to get to know the other side of my family, and they invited me to stay with them this summer and I said yes, so I'll be going to Virginia!"
"I'm so happy for you as well Kiara, omg but I’m going to be here by myself!" I say pouting.
Danielle: "I'm happy for you too Kiara...We’re both going to miss you Sarah — you’re our other half.” She says pouting too. “I just know this summer is going to be so much fun! Sarah what are you doing this summer?"
"I'm staying here, but don't worry I have me a bucket list and I plan on doing everything on it, and have a shit ton of fun! Don’t worry about me, I’m going to make you guys proud.” I say as we all laugh. “I want you guys to have fun okay!"
Danielle: "I want to see that bucket list when I get back Sarah, I didn’t even know you had one, but I want every detail, okay?!"
Kiara: "Yeah me too! That will be the first thing I look at when I get back."
As we arrived at my home first they dropped me off and we said our goodbyes, we hugged and then they left. We were already becoming independent, I couldn't be more happier.
We were becoming who we have always been on the inside — adventurous and wild well all except for Danielle she was more adventurous and wild then we are, she’s always been that way without our help.
Not when it comes to school cafeteria food, but if you could see it and smell it you wouldn't either.
…
…
I look forward to having some stories to tell them and them tell me when they get back.
But right now......
School's Out, Fun's In!
