Taking Back Tomarrow ::Chapter 1::

"I hope you all have a great summer, and a wonderful time in high school next year. Ms. Nainer and myself will miss you guys." Mr. Griffen says in a cheerful voice with a hint of sorrow as he passes out the final report cards. Shawn waits anxiously for the bell to ring so he could get home and show his Mom and Dad his nearly perfect grades. Three minutes to go, and it felt like eternity. As Shawn stares at the clock while everyone else chats, the classroom phone rings... 'RING!... RING!' "Hello, Nainer and Griffen's room, this is Ms. Nainer speaking." the phone was answered, but Shawn paid no attention. "Mmhmm....yes he's right here. Ill send him down RIGHT away." Ms. Nainer hangs up and walks over to Shawn. "The office wants you. They said its extremely important, and they didn't sound happy." "Yes, I'll go now?" he responds questioningly. She nods.1

Walking down to the office, his heart raced and he began to sweat. Shawn knew something bad has happened. He slowly pushes the reception door open. "Mr. Saller, please take a seat in the princepals office. He'll be RIGHT with you..." the office Secretary says kindly. Shawn does as he is told. About 30 seconds later a bigger man with white hair swooped over his growing bald spot. He was wearing a old gray suit that looked like he had owned in for 20 years, and it was getting a little tight around the waist. His purple tie didn't make the outfit any better. "Young man, I have some unsettling news for you." he says in his deep, manly voice. 'I hope I'm not getting blamed for the food fight at lunch! i wasn't even there when it started...' Shawn thought. He just nodded. He could hear his heartbeat get louder and he could feel the pulsing in his ears. "There's been an accident. Your mother..." he starts The Bell rings for summer vacation. The older man sighs. "Shawn, there's been an accident. Your mother was killed...." A million thoughts race through Shawn's mind. 'What?! why?! HOW?! when?' A ball forms in his throat as he chokes back tears. The only thing that can escape from his trembling lips is "I g-gotta go..." and he races out of the building.2

Riding his bike down the the street and across town, Shawn can barley see for the tears are blurring his vision. As he rounds the corner to his street he can see flashing red and blue lights, and men in uniform. He drops his bike and runs to his dad, who also has tears streaming down his face. They hold each other for a long couple minutes just crying.3