L. :)

*The halls were dusty, old and dull. I guess they haven't changed much in the past seventy or so years. AGMS was my hell for 8 hours a day, five days a week. I'd been going since i was in 6th grade, and somehow made it all the way to the 8th. This was my last year, and i was going to make the best of it.*1

Over the year, kids started experimenting with drugs. Mainly pot and cigarettes, but some drank too. This was not my first year being exposed to things like this. I'd been drinking and smoking since i was eleven. i could down vodka like water, and out-smoke a Vietnam vet. so none of this was news to me.2

I still knew a few kids from the years before, so i didn't  have to worry about becoming someones "best bud". Rachel* was a friend from last year, and she was on a slippery slope. Every-time i turned around, someone was talking about how she did this and that with some guy. At the time, it pissed me off so much, and i had no clue why. she was my friend, but i was jealous of those guys. i don't know what it was... I couldn't like her...i was a girl.3

Some kid was selling pot. and that's when the year really kicked off. all was going well until one person got busted. Later on, Rachel had bought some too. it wasn't much, and it wasn't a surprise when she told me. she wasn't known to keep a secret, so pretty soon, people knew that shouldn't.4

It was just under a week before winter break, and someone told on her. When i got to school that day, everyone was asking me what happened to her. over the year we had gotten closer, which i honestly didn't mind. I had no clue what everyone was talking about until i walked outside during lunch. Rachel was sitting in her moms jeep. she was crying, which only made me want to hit somebody. I wanted to talk to her, without catching her moms attention. From what i heard over the phone, her mom didn't like me.5

Over the break, which was two weeks long, i found myself missing her more and more. finally i got a phone call from her. i had been waiting for this call for what seemed like forever. My heart skipped a beat every time the phone rang. but this was it. this was MY call.6

"hello?" i said, with probably too much dependency in my voice.7

"heyy. it's me". Her voice was like a high to me every time she spoke.8

"heyy" i said cooly.9

"so what happened to you at school? I was really worried." 10

"Oh it was nothing..i just bought some pot from billy. and someone told on me. I got suspended.." It was cute how she was trying to make herself sound bad. This was something i was dealing with while she was still playing with barbies.11

"so when are you getting back?"12

"after the break....that Friday"13

My heart was on fire. she was going to be back sooner than i thought. A lot sooner than the other kids that got busted. i was just ecstatic.14

my voice shook as i became tounge tied on my words. GOD. this is just like one of those after-school specials where someone has a crush and can't talk straight. 15

"heyy..i have something i want to tell you, but i'm not sure how you're going to take it." 16

"what?" she said with a subtle lack of interest.17

"I'm -uhm.. Rachel..i'm gay."18

My heart was pounding in my ears as the line was silent.19

"no way.." she said, her voice shaking the slightest bit.