Year of '98

I am Jay Wade. That's it. I refuse to use another patronymic name knowing my mother would eventually dispose of this guy after a year. Believe it or not, this is the 3rd time she got married that went short for only a year, the other ones only lasted for like months. It's as if my mother mistook marriage for a temporary relationship and it depresses the hell out of me since I have to deal with all the meetings and introductions —my real father died due to an accident that happened when I was 12.  "Thank you so much, Karen. I'll make sure to call again" my mother ended her call; sighing hard as she pressed her chin on top of her phone, deep in thought.  I know this look. I am in for another school this year, I can feel it. "Don't look at me like that. This is your 3rd time in expulsion Jay I am very disappointed with you!" I scoffed in my mind. Trust me the feeling is mutual. "Well?" I look up to her in a nonsensical way before standing up ignoring her calling my name I got inside the car feeling annoyed. I see her boyfriend already in the driver's seat before my mother got in. She started to blab about things and I started to dream like I'm already floating up in the air with her words.  "Honey, he's a child let him be" I snickered at his total sham. All his boyfriends say the same thing, and what? They all just run off with my mother's money after taking advantage of all the good things they received, especially trust. I collapsed on the bed thinking about things I should be doing tonight, should I go clubbing? Nah, too boring. Should I go hunting again? That's too sudden I haven't packed my things. Just when I thought I'd go my way for the upcoming months just like before. My mother let herself inside with luggage and a train ticket in her hand; laying it on my bed. I lean to grab the ticket and my eyes widen to see a brochure and England?! "You must be crazy huh? Throwing away your kid?" She shakes her head biting the inside of her mouth "It's not considered throwing when I'm trying to discipline you"  "By throwing me to England? I don't even know anyone from there!" I exclaimed.  "Your father settled everything. He knew someone from there and everything is packed; your uniform; book; free laptop and school supplies plus your food and drink, and I'll also send $2000 money for your pocket money. You don't need to worry about your tuition since it's all paid by your father" She looks pissed mentioning how torn I was when my father passed away. I was only 9 but I had a good thing going with my father—we almost do everything together and that includes telling everything with each other  "My father's dead"  She inhaled highly about to talk back but kept it calmly " Your father-in-law processed everything and you're packing for this Wednesday's trip" "Wha- Wednesday?! but that's the day after tomorrow, I haven't said goodbye to my friends!" "Well, I don't see why you're still bothered about them when they aren't even worried about you" I kept quiet knowing she was on the spot for being true. Her left brow rose up knowing she was on point leaving me speechless. I checked my phone to see no other messages from them; throwing it away, I reviewed the brochures before shaking my head disappointingly. My father-in-law and mother have been dating for almost a year now, I doubt it'll continue after I leave. My mother is working in a huge company of ours and making acquaintances had lead her to meet different jerks and owning them as our father-in-law. I have an older sister but after the second guy, my mother married she left the house and decided to work outside the country. It's just me and my younger sister now. She's 10, as I'm the only thorn among the crimson roses. As much as I wanted to own half of the responsibility this family should have, my mother beat me to it finding another husband just a year later my father died.” Just don’t do anything that would hinder another expulsion” my sister gave an instant reaction knowing I’d be transferred again. She was used to me being like this. Honestly, she knew exactly why I am acting this way, even though she’s 10 she knew how to managed herself and self-expression  Just as the dinner ended, I went straight to my room and laid for 2hours with no random thoughts at all. I hear the door creaked before feeling the bed sank “It’s like you’re gonna be far away this time” I turned to Cassie before embracing her tightly in my arms “ I know. I’ll be back Cass. Don’t worry” I turned my heels to see my sister holding her pony in her embrace before I grabbed my luggage down the stairs. My mother’s boyfriend and she are just waiting downstairs, the once steadfast mother who was brave enough to send me away now have the most modest, melancholy look on her face. I can only scoff at her reaction. Her boyfriend extended a small box before I look at them with curiosity. I opened it up with the latest iPhone on the branch “I picked the color out, and a few contacts mine and your mother just in case” He explained while I lick my lips in total annoyance “thanks but I don’t need it” she gave me a what-the-hell-look before I sigh putting it inside my pocket. “Just call if anything happened”, my brows rose up knowing this would be a perfect time to be sarcastically savage. Her phone rang from the living room as she raced down to answer it “Yes, hello! Who is this?” I scoffed. She didn’t even save the number first. So if I called after arriving she’d still be answering not knowing it’s her son. “Something happened mom. A conceited couple is about to send their son out for being obnoxiously mean” her boyfriend gave me a discomfiting look forgetting to save my number in my own mother’s phone. The line went totally silent as I hand back the phone leaving instantly.  What total bullshit. A total of 14hours of travel was discomforting, the headache; plus the food sucks and people were bluntly rude. This is just the first day and yet I am about to give in. Should I just travel the other way around? Japan perhaps? While I got a hold of my luggage, a young boy maybe my age was waving a banner that says “Jay all the way” is he serious? He was quite happy to see me tho’ but that wasn’t the case. I don’t like owning friends from this type of city. I don’t even want to appear available as I am the best at being invincible “Hey, dude! I’m Kyle” he extended his arm before I hesitantly shake it. “You must be famished, you want real food?” I nodded before he drove downtown along with the city. “This is a simple city. People don’t rush to anything here, plus the girls are the best” I scoffed in mind. Trust me, girls are the least of my favorites. I look unsatisfyingly at the food in front of me before glancing around the people who have the same order as mine as they devour the food with gusto. Kyle in front of me started to eat it as if it was the most delicious thing you could lay your eyes off “ I don’t want to eat it” “WhsewWTE?Geg” Kyle mumbled like a fool before I shake my head “sorry I don’t speak i***t” He chuckled drinking water before wiping the side of his face “This is the best in town. Good thing I am close with its owner” I look at the food once again before picking the fork up “Dear Lord, help” I scoop it with an average amount before eating it fast. My face lightened up by the sudden delectable taste of sweetness; my pout turned into delight giving me another taste of the food “see? That’s good right?” “What’ the name of the restaurant again?” I asked. “Oh, Bruno’s” my ears perked up. Same name huh. “Why? Ring any bells?” “It’s the same name as my mother’s boyfriend. Bruno Sanchez” “Hell yeah, this is his. Bruno’s—he owns most of the stores here. Phones; appliances; fast-food chains and convenience stores” Did he forgot to tell my mother about this? or did he just decide not to tell? Our travel continued for another half hour until the car came to a stop in an old; rusty-looking like school. Plants evidently covering up almost half front of the school while it laid out their school logo uncleaned. "Come now, let me show you to your dorm" "Isn't the dorm should be connected by the school?" I asked curiously before pointing to the building upfront "No, your dorm is right up on those buildings" he dragged me  "The school is big enough tho', these buildings are on their way to be finished by next year for another set of programs to be offered" Kyle's drive was slow enough to let me  see the benefit of what school I am attending too since I am enrolled in the middle sem it may be harder for me to start and get used to the people and surroundings  As he continues to blabber I notice one old rackety-looking building "Woah Woah wait, stop it" I rest my sunglasses on top of my nostrils examining the place from the car "What's the story?" I asked seriously before he snickered and refused to tell. Me being the impatient one slapped him by the back of my hand to talk  "It was supposed to be a girls dormitory when uh-- a student disappeared. Some say she killed herself, jumped out of the building or so, but please. That was 5 years ago let's move on and keep our eyes on what's front"  While we start to move I can't leave my eyes on the building totally interested in the whole rumored thing—and just by a quick glance, I saw a girl. Looking at Kyle he seemed rather preoccupied with his mouth busy talking nonstop. "here we are! home sweet home"  "Somebody actually lives here?" I asked sarcastically trying not to hurt Kyle's feelings, but I doubt he has one since he looks dumb at all. "Uh-huh, boys love it here since it's convenient and easy to locate to— and I meant scholarship kids who literally want to survive life" I got a hold of one of my duffel bags before we both got inside, Kyle greeted some old lady maybe that was the landlady  The latter knocks slowly before checking if someone was inside "Wait I'm not getting my own room?" "No dude, you're rooming with someone I've known for so long" Kyle opened the door widely as another guy stood up from his study removing his glasses smiling hard at the both of us "Kyle my man!" they both did a fist bump and hug each other, "This is Jay" he whispered the last sentence to this guy before nodding his head understanding the situation "I think I should start taking care of him now" Kyle cackled a smaller laugh before agreeing to his sentence "Well, I gotta run some errands take care of our man" I rolled my eyes not wanting to meddle in their business before the guy stared at me from head to toe "Brett Sanders" he extended his hand which I continuously looking at it for a good minute before he attached my hand to his—shaking it. "Well, it's always good to have a roommate huh? the more the merrier" he smiled widely before continuing his study While I was done unpacking I had the time to look around the building. This building gives me creeps; lights aren't even turned on—making it darker from the inside; it's too quiet for boys living here. As I look out the window it disgusts me just to see boys around the bench studying Psh. weird.  The next day comes in a blur. I can't believe I may be able to relate myself in some teenage cliche movies my sister watches where a certain nerd moves to a school; gets bullied and in the end, does some act of revenge. Please, that's just mainstream. Walking down the halls every eye is pinned on me; judging me in every way non-stop, even in class it's plainly the same thing back at my old school.  When the bell rang student clamor from every corner; couples kissing; guys hastily fools around as if they're on the field; girls talking loudly. It's just. It's complete chaos. I close my locker door only to be surprised to see Kyle against the wall, oh please. Not today. "Have you toured the school yet?" I looked at him a bit curious before he places his hand turning me around for a quick tour, Kyle continuously talks from here and there when I felt someone bumped me from my shoulder she turned around while continuously twirls the end of her hair looking seductively "Hi, there" she stopped smiling as soon as Kyle called me from afar. "Okay dude, you don't want to be seen with Zarina, that would be war" "Okay, so this is the cafeteria. Seeing this every day would give you enough thought about where to sit and who to sit with. You see those girls with blonde hair with long silvery nails, Zarina is their leader, the head cheer-leader to be precise those aren't the type you wanna hang out with— they prefer the jockeys, the only nut heads who they think they rule the school" "Jockeys?" I asked. Just then the door from the cafeteria opens up entering a couple of tall guys in their same striped jacket with the school logo goofing around earning everyone's attention. The tall one in the center gave me an intense look before making their way to Zarina's table "It's just a heads up that those girls are off-limits" I couldn't care less. Those kinds of girls aren't my type too, I stood up from my seat only to be welcome by the jockeys earlier I look up to that guy who is about a few feet taller than me as he snickered shaking his head "I'm sorry man, I can't help seeing you eyeing my girlfriend from afar, you must be new here, and I ought you should know me by now" He was quote serious by his words, and I hate to break it to him but  was expelled from my last school because of violence "Zico what's up man" he glances to my left and I turned to see Brett All attention was focused on us, people trying to see the tension between us— waiting to pick up their phones whenever we were ready to fistfight "This boy from your lot B?" He eyed me as if I owe him for this before I sigh hard; biting the inside of my mouth resisting not to hurt this damn giant "Yeah, he's from mine alright, leave him alone" All the jockeys from behind him chuckled as if they were making fun of me and Brett "Wasn't that hard to identify him either, let's go"  Gulping hard out of anger, Brett was supposed to talk me out of what's happening but I stormed out instead—I need to take in a lot of fresh air. And so I started to run, I don't know why I did that but that's the first thing that runs across my mind; letting out my anger and frustrations until I felt exhausted. I rest both my hands against my knees trying hard to catch my breath and before I knew it, I stand in front of the old abandoned building Kyle talked about yesterday. I wasn't trying to anything drastic yet, but it came too early for me and I started to smile before I run inside the building. Obviously, the door is cracked open and as soon as you went inside you can already see the garden from the other side of the building. Covering my nose from the dust I still continued seeing the usual stuff you see in an old rust building, empty beer cans, used cigarettes, and even condoms. The building wasn't exactly what I visualized it was, because some ruined things from the unmasked eyes of people can be beautiful from the inside, right? my father used to say that to me. I try to appreciate things secretly. I was about to head out when I felt something from upstairs that I should check out. It wasn't completely dark from the inside actually it shines more on the inside seeing the things clearly I stepped on the stairs slowly before I checked each room until the rooftop, I sigh deeply—clutching against the ladder before I made my way up. I have to be honest but this is the best view the school got "Beautiful" I muttered. "I know right?" I flinched hearing a voice behind me as I see a girl against the tank. She was completely harmless just enjoying the breeze of the air from above here while closing her eyes. When she finally turned to the side seeing me she smiled sweetly getting off from the edge of the tank coming closer to me, "I'm glad someone like me appreciates this kind of platitude in nature. I rolled my eyes before turn my heels to just continue enjoying the air as well. "Don't get your hopes too high in owning this place, some of the Elites use this for initiations" she grabs her bag that was hanging from the chair before opening the door "But I'm glad someone is here with me, See you around Jay" my eyes darted open before quickly turning my heels seeing the door closing How did she know my name?