“The Misshaps Of James” by Jordan Baker

As per usual, James was on his phone and making fart sounds with his hands during class to make everyone laugh. Everyone except the Geometry teacher, Mr. Bill and a few girls, were laughing. “How many times do I have to tell you to be quiet James?” James just rolled his eyes and flipped off the teacher with his tongue sticking out. “That’s it! Detention Mr. James!” Mr. Bill said. Before you knew it, James was headed to the principal’s office where he had to have another talk with principal Paul. As the door shut behind James, Paul looked at James with concern. “This is the many times I’ve had to talk to you James. Tell me. What’s going on?” James was upset deep down about a lot of things. Hiding his gay sexuality, his crush on John the jock and not being able to open up about it, his strict conservative parents making him appear straight for the lord, strict background in the Baptist church and just wanting to be free from all the rules Roger’s High School had. “At this rate James, you are about to be suspended for your behavior.” James pleaded not to tell his parents. That meant not seeing John in his Geometry class. “Why are you doing all this to yourself” the principal asked. “I just want to be free to live my life ya know like I want to do whatever like you know what I mean like” James said infuriated. The principal took a moment to gather what he heard. “Well in life, you don’t get I’m afraid James. There’s consequences to every rule we break.” Upon hearing these words, James was discouraged. He just wanted freedom and to not be told what to do all the time. So he gathered his belongings at the end of the day and had to get a ride home that afternoon.