ing , “ Our dad is goin ’ nuts again , and we wanted to know if you wanted to hang out down by the creek after you pick up John from school .” Matt and Cody were old family friends , but their dad was pretty violent sometimes . When that happened we would go down to the creek in the woods behind their house to skip rocks and stuff . I say sure , but don ’ t let on about my scholarship . They knew about my dream , but never took it too seriously . They would get upset at the thought of me leaving them here .
I watch them walk away , kicking an old can back and forth between them . I walk until I reach my wretched apartment . I hate it . There are mice and leaky pipes , moldy walls and cockroaches . I can ’ t wait to say goodbye to it . I pull open the side door and head towards the stairwell , since the elevator can ’ t be trusted . I walk up the slope , skipping every other step . I listen to the even sound of my shoes slapping the wood . I make it to the third floor , being careful not to touch the parts of the railing concealing old gum . I come out of the stairwell , walking on the disgusting green carpet that I know to be hiding weak spots in the floor where water had soaked through . I see my door and walk in .
Mom is on the couch in her usual position , sitting cross-legged with the controller in one hand and and half eaten bag of Cheetos in the other . I make my way towards her and push the off button on the tv , and that is when she realizes I am here . “ What is wrong with you ? Turn it back on !” She screams at me .
“ No . I need to talk to you about something , and you better listen .”
“ I don ’ t care what you do , just leave me alone !” I kick the trash can across the room , which finally makes her shut up . She looks at my face , and she starts crying . Her arms spread out and she gives me a smile . “ Come here , baby . I ’ m sorry . You know I love you . What do you need ?” The act doesn ’ t even touch me . I know she ’ s just unstable . She does these personality switches all the time . It never bothers me . “ Get a job . I need to stop missing school to pay for your garbage . Apparently , you ’ re an adult , so get a job so I can go to college !” The smile leaves her face as she rises to her feet , her dark hair falling over her eyes . “ How dare you talk to me like that ?” She asks . Her voice started as a dangerous whisper but was rising fast . She begins walking towards me , stepping over the wrappers and papers . “ I am your mother , you ungrateful little —“ I cut her off before she can finish .
“ Just do it ,” I say , and walk out , slamming the door behind me .
When John walks out the front door of his school , I wave him over . His blonde hair bouncing , he runs towards me with a smile on his face . “ What are you so happy about ?” I ask .
“ I won the race !” He screams . I give him a high five and put on a fake smile . Today he had been having a faceoff with his bully , Marc . He had been tormenting John for the better part of the year , and John had finally stood up to him . “ That ’ s great ! Hey , we ’ re gonna meet Matt and Cody in the woods , so we better hurry up . Bet you won ’ t win this race !” I run off in the direction of the street , and I hear John running behind me . I pretend to trip over a crack , giving him the lead . As more dead leaves begin to crunch beneath our feet , the creek begins to come into view behind the trees . “ Where are they ?” John asks . Just then , they jump out from behind a rock and make John squeal with delight . He runs up and high fives them .
An hour later , we are still there . Me and Matt toss stones at the fish in the stream . Cody is up in the towering oak tree . He hops down and sticks his hands in his pocket , pulling out a watch . “ We ’ ve gotta go ,” he says . I nod , a pang of disappointment stabbing at me . I ’ ve been dealt some sour lemons , but my friends make up for it . I guess not everything about my life is bad .