Does this keep your attention?

Mike T

2012-10-25 23:11:18 UTC

I’m your average high schooler. You know, the kid who has just enough friends that he’s not considered a loner, but just shy a few to be prom king. I, like everyone else, have always wondered what it would be like to be ‘mister popular’. The one everyone has their eye on. Like the star quarterback who everyone wants to be around, or the guy who plays his guitar and sings in the courtyard at lunch, and has all the girls admiring him. I’m always dreaming of how I could somehow be that guy. Dreaming I’ll find a genie in a lamp that’ll give me my three wishes. But like everyone else, I wake up.
However, being one of the oldest at your school has its perks. I’ve never known why, but for some reason, it matters that you’re older in high school. It’s like you’re somehow a little bit better than the younger kids. Even if we’re only two months older, or even two days, we feel we have the advantage. At least at my school we do. Some kids even lie about their age. They’ll say they’re one year older to feel a little better about themselves. I’ve never really understood the logic in ‘older is better’, but I never questioned it because it’s always worked in my favor.
I just turned eighteen, which is good because I’m one of the oldest in my school, but now everyone who wants cigarettes, comes to me. It’s not so bad though. I usually charge them a few bucks for buying a pack. Some of them argue about it and walk off, but in the end they always come back because I’m their only hope. I never understood why someone would want to smoke. It just doesn’t make sense to me. I go camping now and then, and when we get around the fire, the last place I sit is where the smoke is headed. So I just don’t get why someone would want to inhale it for fun. But I’m not one to judge so if you smoke, it’s your choice, and I’ll still respect you.
School just let out and it’s Friday, so I’m headed to Lake Perkins with some friends for a swim. Normally I’m not into swimming but it’s hot outside and Bethany in is the truck behind us and there’s no way I’m going to miss out on seeing her in a bikini.
We had to stop at the elementary school first to pick up my little brother Ben. My parents didn’t get home from work until 5, so I always got stuck babysitting him. I was never thrilled about it because he’s nine, and he always has a way of ruining good times. But I didn’t have a choice so I piled him in the back of my 98’ Ford Mustang and headed to the lake with Ryan in the front seat and Aaron and the girls behind us in his Dad’s old Chevy.
“Who’s your friend?” I said as we pull out of Ben’s school parking lot. He had a friend from school with him. I didn’t want another nine year old around, because it meant more work for me, but my parents approved so I had no choice.
“This is Mikey” Ben said excitedly.
“Nice to meet you Mikey. Can you put your seatbelt on for me?”
“Um yes sir,” Mikey said nervously. He was quite the shy one. But I guess little kids are always that way when they’re in new environments.
“Sir?” Ryan laughed. “Brock here is many things, but a ‘sir’ is not one of them”
I laughed. “He’s right Mikey, just call me Brock, and don’t be shy now. We’re not so bad once you get to know us.” He just sat there with a little smile then turned his head to look out the window.
Once we were out of the school zone Ryan reached for the radio, scanning the stations until he came to Welcome To The Jungle by Guns N’ Roses. He twisted the volume nob almost all the way up then shouted, “woo hoo! Let’s get this party started!” Naturally I responded by flooring it.
The windows were down and the music was blaring. Wind was flowing in and everyone’s hair was a mess. My school papers were flying around like someone put a leaf blower in the window. A piece of paper hit Mikey and stuck to his face. He peeled it off and dropped it to the floor and laughed because he was enjoying the moment like the rest of us.
We turned a corner and the lake was off in the distance. Ryan was still head banging to the song and I looked to my rearview mirror where the boys were both staring out their windows intently as if hoping to see something miraculous. It made me miss my childhood days when everything was simple and the world was one big mystery.
As we approached the lake, Ryan leaned forward and turned the radio down then turned his attention towards me.
“I hope there’s not too many people at the lake,” Ryan said.
“Why you’re afraid someone will see you with your shirt off?” I chuckled. I loved giving him a hard time. Besides what are friends for?
“Ha. Ha. You’re so funny Brock.” He said with a blank face. “No, because last time we were out there that family was there and they kept asking us to quiet down. I mean, what are outside voices for if you can’t use them?!”
“Relax buddy,” I said while laughing. “Besides, that was at like six at night. It’s too early for that many people to be out there, it’s only two forty”