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  Surviving: High School

  (And other drama)

  By: Bronsen Hawkins

   

   

   

  Contents

  Surviving: High School

  Jaded

  Starting

  All Before Bedtime

  Princesses and Queens

  Starry Eyed

  Head On

  Break

  Beautiful Soul

  Careless Whisper

  We Tear It Up

  Collision

  Bright Side

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  To my late Grandparents Jerry and Velma Hawkins, as well as Odessa and Earl Joseph, for constantly striving to be examples of light in a dim world.

   

  Friendly Disclaimer

  Clearveil is a place not much unlike any other city, place, or town anywhere else. Its schools, Clearveil Academy, Eluxer High School, and Sherrod Day surround the city in a somewhat off triangle. Kids here go to school, parties, events, and try to have the time of their lives. Just like any kid anywhere else.

  Before you read this story, I want to tell you that all the events are mostly true. Slight fabrication may have been used to hide people’s identities, along with the changing of several names. Nevertheless, these things did happen. How do I know you ask? It’s simple really, I was there. I grew up in Clearveil and I attend Clearveil Academy. I try to help my friends as much as I can. But the thing you have to understand about Clearveil is that everyone’s true colors show eventually. Some faster than others. And that nothing, no matter how well kept, remains hidden for long. Clearveil is big on truth, honesty, transparency. As long as it’s the truth about other people. So as you read this story, try to put yourself in my shoes. And remember that I handled my situations as best as I could, but I can't control everything. Sometimes you have to let other people make their own mistakes.

   

  Jaded 

  “And I think about it over and over again…”

  Over and Over by Nelly

   

  Another car swerved close to Breslin’s fathers. The vibration almost knocked his phone from his hands. This was a good thing considering that he was tired to replying to Ava’s nagging.

  “Read any good books lately?” His father, Kenneth Eliot, asked as his car glided down one of the main streets of Clearveil.

  “Yea.” Breslin replied. He knew he was lying. Ken knew he was lying.

  He hated reading. All of it seemed like a huge waste of time. Scratch that, to Breslin all of it was a huge waste of time. Beyond video games boxes and magazine articles that is.

  “Really now, anything I've heard of?” Ken replied enthused.

  “Nope.” Breslin lied with a small smile. “It’s a foreign book.”

  Breslin’s phone vibrated again. This time he put it on silent as scuffed it back into his front pocket.

  “Well can you read a book a little closer to home?”

  “Like yours?” Breslin asked.

  “Exactly. Like mine. It was written with you in mind you know.”

  “I know dad.”

  Downtown Clearveil was known to be extremely foggy at night. And Mr. Eliot's black Grand Prix didn't make things any better. While glancing over at Breslin's blank face staring out of the window Mr. Eliot decided to shift gears in the conversation.

  “So how are you and Rory?” He asked.

  “Fine.” Breslin replied.

  Once again he was lying for his Father’s sake. Breslin’s and Rory’s relationship had been deteriorating every since Bres hit puberty. Two guys, two brothers always going for the same girl was bound to end badly eventually.

  “Somehow, I don't believe that.”

  “We really are.”

  “And what about Avalon? Is she going to be ok too?”

  “Dad!”

  “I’m just saying you need to come out of your shell.”

  “Dad the red light!” Breslin screamed at the top of his lungs.

  At that moment a red pickup truck came slamming in to the driver’s side of the Eliot's car. Breslin's airbag deployed instantaneously, and his rag-dolled head went straight into it. Mr. Eliot wasn’t so lucky however. His steering wheel airbag had gone bad months ago, but instead of getting it fixed he chose to invest in his book. His seat beat cut into him hard as his head collided into the window next to him. His brain crashed against his skull, as his chest became one with the steering wheel.

  It took Breslin a little time to come to. When he did, he noticed that there car was on the sidewalk now. He could hear the sirens in the background. Next to him, his father wasn't moving.

  “Dad.” He whispered. He was winded. He couldn’t breathe. He couldn't concentrate. Everything was blurry.

  “Dad.” He tried again. Mr. Eliot wasn't responding. And someone was now talking into Breslin's ear.

  “Are you alright son?” The voice said.

  He could care less.

  “Dad!” He tried one final time. He wanted him to be ok. He needed him to be ok. But those words took everything out of him. And he passed out in his seat.