Rock and Roll Ruined My Life
Amber Alert?
Rock And Roll Ruined My Life- Chapter 4- Amber Alert?
After 5 hours of playing video games, reality struck me:
“I have to get home!” I jumped up from the couch, ran into the kitchen, and grabbed my school bag. I searched for my phone but did not find it. I nervously searched the pockets of my jeans. I breathed a sigh of relief as I pulled out my blue LG Xenon. My parents had probably called the police by now. I pressed the unlock button on the side and cringed. 17 missed calls and 20 unread texts and voicemails.
I. was. dead. meat.
Gerard came into the kitchen and rushed over to me with a look of concern. “What’s the matter?”
“I have to get home! I have to get home! I’m so dead, Gerard! My parents- my parents-”
“Stop hyperventilating!” he interrupted me. “We’ll get you to your house calm down.” He pulled out his phone and started dialing some number. “No, no!” I pushed the phone back from his ear and hit the ‘end call’ button. “It’ll take too long with traffic! It’ll be faster if I run!” he looked at me with that same skeptical glance. “No, I’m serious. I can make it.” I started towards the stairs. “Thank you guys so much for everything!” I squinted to see down the dark set of stairs that led to the bus door. I reached out for the handle- “Wait!” I turned around and Gerard shoved a piece of paper into my hand saying, “Keep in touch ok?” I smiled weakly. “Thanks.”
I ran off the bus and took off down the street. If I got to a main boulevard I would be able to find my way. I turned toward the sound of the rush-hour traffic and began sprinting.
The faster I got home, the better.
****************************************************************************************************
I rushed through the lobby, my Converse slipping over the shiny marble-like floor. I ran to the elevator and hit the ‘up’ button. I tapped my foot impatiently. “Oh my God. I’m dead, I’m so dead,” I muttered as I stepped onto the empty compartment. I looked at my phone to check the time. It was 7:30. Nothing like this has ever happened to me. Nothing this eventful anyway… The elevator had never seemed to move so slow in my entire life.
Finally I stepped off on floor 13 and ran to the right. I pulled out my keys as I went. I unlocked the door clumsily and threw it open, not bothering to stop it from hitting the wall. I stayed there for a second trying to catch my breath. I heard footsteps coming from my left. It was my little sister Sarah. She gasped when she saw me and ran into the living room. I followed her down the hall nervously.
All of a sudden my head was jerked to the side and I saw pretty swirly dots dancing across the very clean living room. I blinked a few times to get the spots out of my vision. Then out of no where I felt a searing pain shoot across my face from my ear to my chin. I felt my eyes water. I looked up to see my mom shaking with anger.
“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!” I continued to stare at her dumbly. My mind was numb with pain. She waved a hand in front of my face and looked at me expectantly.
“I- I was with my friends.” My voice had cracked and I coughed to clear my throat. I saw my mom’s expression soften the tiniest bit. She knew I had no life.
“We were about to call the police,” my father said to me in a callous tone. I winced. My dad never talked to me like that. He was usually the nice one when it came to me getting in trouble. “What are we going to do with you?” my mom said.
“You are in serious trouble young lady,” my dad added.
“Give me your phone and iPod now.” I gaped at my mother who was still relentlessly sending me the death stare. “You heard me. Now.”
I could not believe this was happening to me. I didn’t care if they took my phone away; I never used it. But taking away my iPod was equal to murder. I lived off of music. Without it I had nothing. I was nothing. Without music, I would die a slow and painful death…
“Did you hear me? NOW!” I snapped back and reached into my book bag and pulled out my iPod. Where was my phone? I looked in all of the side pockets of my bag frantically. I felt someone tap my arm. I looked up to see Sarah pointing at the front pocket of my jeans. “Oh,” I said stupidly. “Thank you.”
I stood up and gave my phone and iPod reluctantly to my mother’s waiting hand. I did a double take behind me. How did I end up on the couch?
“After all we do for you, you still don’t LISTEN.” She looked at me and then smiled as if she had a sudden epiphany and added, “No computer either.” She glared at me one last time and marched off to the master bedroom.
Just like that it was over. What was left of my pathetic life was over.
“You really scared us Juliet,” my father said after a few minutes. He was suddenly calmer. “Go finish your homework.”
“I’m sorry, Dad-” I apologized staring at his tired face.
“I know you are. Go do your homework...”
I turned to grab my book bag- which had miraculously ended up on the couch next to where I had been knocked down- then started off to my bedroom. I stopped to listen as I passed the master bedroom. Silence. I knocked 3 times and opened the door. My mom was sitting on her bed reading something out of a regular marble notebook.
I studied her face. It was totally expressionless except for her furrowed brow. She didn’t look up as I entered. It was like I wasn’t even there. I gulped and said,
“M-Mom?” Her eyes darted up to me then went back to the page. I took a deep breath and continued. “Mom, I am so sorry.” She sighed, looked up at me and said,
“I’m sorry too, but you can’t keep doing this to us. It’s just gone too far. This is not the first time you’ve done this. It’s selfish and stupid! Not only does it hurt us, but it hurts Sarah as well. She looks up to you. Do you realize that?” I turned my head away from her and stared at the carpeting.
“Yes, I do.”
“Just finish your homework and go to bed. I’m done with you for today.”
I sighed in defeat and left closing the door behind me. “Julie!” I turned around to see Sarah walking towards me holding out her hand. I squinted to see what she was holding. I felt my eyes grow wider and breath catch in my throat. It was the piece of paper Gerard had given to me. Had she read it? I didn’t even know what it said on it. “You dropped this,” she explained cautiously. I smiled, relieved, and said, “Thank you SO much Sarah!” I pulled her into a quick hug, walked into my room and closed the door.
I stayed there in the darkness for about 2 minutes then reached over blindly for the light switch on my wall. The lamp on my desk flickered then continued to produce a steady stream of bright light. I blinked slowly a few times to adjust, and then dragged my feet towards the chair in front of my desk. I looked at the crumpled piece of paper in my hand and placed it on the far corner of the desk. As tempting as it was to unfold it and see what Gerard had written, geometry and literature homework came first.
I sat down and took out two bible-like text books and heaved them onto my desk. They landed with a sickeningly dull thump. It was going to be a very long night.
****************************************************************************************************
I felt a little wave of heat pass over my face. I sat up quickly and regretted it. The room was spinning. I held my arms tightly and blinked. My room came into focus. The sun was beginning to peek through the morning fog outside my window. I sighed and looked at my iHome which read 6:00 AM. Suddenly all of my priorities flashed through my brain. I glanced down to see my Geometry text book open to my unfinished homework. I took a deep breath and glanced at my arms and legs which still wore the clothes I had on yesterday. Time to get up.
I had to literally be out of the door in 5 minutes. I shut my text book and scraped the humongous pile of papers and books into my school bag and stood up. The world slid out of focus again. I grabbed my chair for support. What was wrong with me? I shook it off and rushed to my closet where I took out an outfit and rushed to the shower. I washed my hair, face, and body in what I’m pretty sure was record time and threw on my clothes. I brushed my teeth and pulled my wet hair into a pony tail without looking at a mirror.
I rushed back to my room to get my book bag, phone, glasses, and iPod.
Where was everything?!
As I searched my desk frantically, I saw a tiny piece of folded paper in the corner. Suddenly I had a flashback of yesterday's events. Now I truly remembered everything that happened. I shoved the piece of paper into my front pocket anxiously, put on my glasses, and ran into the hallway. As I made my way to the door I went through the kitchen and grabbed a granola bar. I was going to be late.
As soon as I stepped outside I was thankful I decided to wear capri’s. It was extremely humid out. I stopped in front of a random shop window to check my reflection. I couldn’t see much, but I did see that my hair was starting to frizz. Great. As I walked the 15 blocks to school I let my mind go blank. It was way too early to be doing any sort of thinking.
When I got to school it was 6:40. I was 10 minutes late for my ‘extra curricular studies’. I was basically invited to come to school early to take extra classes so that I could earn more credits for college. Even though I was only 15, they made an exception. I took a deep breath wearily and started up the long flight of stairs to the next floor. Once I got to the top of the landing I stopped and held on to the railing. I felt dead...
********************************************************************************
“Juliet?” I jumped and turned around to see who had called my name. Everything blurred and I felt two hands grab my arms and steady me. “Juliet what’s wrong? How long have you been standing here?” I looked up through my bangs to see my friend Tim staring at me in concern. “Hiya’ Timmy,” I smiled lazily. Tim had always been there for me. We became friends in middle school and have stayed close ever since. I believe he was the one who knew me the best out of my two real friends.
“Juliet, you didn’t answer the question,” he frowned. This only made me smile wider.
“I’m fine,” I said pulling my arms away from his grip defiantly.
“You would have fallen on your face if I hadn’t caught you,” he stated matter-of-factly. He looked at me more closely, "It looks like you already did though. What happened to you?” I reached up a hand to where his eyes were staring and winced when my fingers finally met my cheek.
“Ouch,” I muttered.
“Who did this to you?” he said suddenly sounding very alert. It looked like he was ready to beat up the person who messed up my face. I laughed doubtfully and said, “It’s a very long story. One in which I think you won’t believe.” My jaw felt tight. I tried to move it around but winced. 'Thanks Mom,' I thought.
“Well, I’ve got time to listen,” Tim said pulling me slowly down the next few steps. “You should eat something. Maybe you won’t be so dizzy.” I reluctantly followed him down the steps and into the lunch room where they had some fruit and assorted breakfast items lying about.
“Look, Timmy. I don’t want to have to say my story twice because my jaw is killing me so listen closely.” He nodded and waited for me to get something. I grabbed a chocolate chip muffin and a carton of milk and sat down at the closest lunch table and began to explain the whole story.
We don’t have to pay for breakfast here because half of the kids who come here are Gen. Ed., and most of them can’t afford to pay for lunch and breakfast everyday. So, the administrators of the school were kind enough give every student the right to a free breakfast. After I found this out I went to the cafeteria almost every morning. And after I tasted one of the schools fantastic chocolate chip muffins, I knew that there was some sort of god out there.
****************************************************************************************************
As I had predicted, Tim refused to believe my story right away. It took much convincing on my part throughout the whole day until he finally gave in. “That’s pretty awesome Juliet,” he said still a little ‘star struck’ I suppose…
“Why do you always call me by my full name?” I asked. I knew that question was out of the blue but I couldn’t help it. Everyone else always called me Julie or J or whatever, but he called me Juliet. I waited for his answer.
“Well,” he said looking a little embarrassed, “I just like the way your name sounds. Is there something wrong with that?” He stared at me defensively. I just laughed and shrugged it off.
There was just one more class to go then the day was over. Thank God.
After 5 hours of playing video games, reality struck me:
“I have to get home!” I jumped up from the couch, ran into the kitchen, and grabbed my school bag. I searched for my phone but did not find it. I nervously searched the pockets of my jeans. I breathed a sigh of relief as I pulled out my blue LG Xenon. My parents had probably called the police by now. I pressed the unlock button on the side and cringed. 17 missed calls and 20 unread texts and voicemails.
I. was. dead. meat.
Gerard came into the kitchen and rushed over to me with a look of concern. “What’s the matter?”
“I have to get home! I have to get home! I’m so dead, Gerard! My parents- my parents-”
“Stop hyperventilating!” he interrupted me. “We’ll get you to your house calm down.” He pulled out his phone and started dialing some number. “No, no!” I pushed the phone back from his ear and hit the ‘end call’ button. “It’ll take too long with traffic! It’ll be faster if I run!” he looked at me with that same skeptical glance. “No, I’m serious. I can make it.” I started towards the stairs. “Thank you guys so much for everything!” I squinted to see down the dark set of stairs that led to the bus door. I reached out for the handle- “Wait!” I turned around and Gerard shoved a piece of paper into my hand saying, “Keep in touch ok?” I smiled weakly. “Thanks.”
I ran off the bus and took off down the street. If I got to a main boulevard I would be able to find my way. I turned toward the sound of the rush-hour traffic and began sprinting.
The faster I got home, the better.
****************************************************************************************************
I rushed through the lobby, my Converse slipping over the shiny marble-like floor. I ran to the elevator and hit the ‘up’ button. I tapped my foot impatiently. “Oh my God. I’m dead, I’m so dead,” I muttered as I stepped onto the empty compartment. I looked at my phone to check the time. It was 7:30. Nothing like this has ever happened to me. Nothing this eventful anyway… The elevator had never seemed to move so slow in my entire life.
Finally I stepped off on floor 13 and ran to the right. I pulled out my keys as I went. I unlocked the door clumsily and threw it open, not bothering to stop it from hitting the wall. I stayed there for a second trying to catch my breath. I heard footsteps coming from my left. It was my little sister Sarah. She gasped when she saw me and ran into the living room. I followed her down the hall nervously.
All of a sudden my head was jerked to the side and I saw pretty swirly dots dancing across the very clean living room. I blinked a few times to get the spots out of my vision. Then out of no where I felt a searing pain shoot across my face from my ear to my chin. I felt my eyes water. I looked up to see my mom shaking with anger.
“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!” I continued to stare at her dumbly. My mind was numb with pain. She waved a hand in front of my face and looked at me expectantly.
“I- I was with my friends.” My voice had cracked and I coughed to clear my throat. I saw my mom’s expression soften the tiniest bit. She knew I had no life.
“We were about to call the police,” my father said to me in a callous tone. I winced. My dad never talked to me like that. He was usually the nice one when it came to me getting in trouble. “What are we going to do with you?” my mom said.
“You are in serious trouble young lady,” my dad added.
“Give me your phone and iPod now.” I gaped at my mother who was still relentlessly sending me the death stare. “You heard me. Now.”
I could not believe this was happening to me. I didn’t care if they took my phone away; I never used it. But taking away my iPod was equal to murder. I lived off of music. Without it I had nothing. I was nothing. Without music, I would die a slow and painful death…
“Did you hear me? NOW!” I snapped back and reached into my book bag and pulled out my iPod. Where was my phone? I looked in all of the side pockets of my bag frantically. I felt someone tap my arm. I looked up to see Sarah pointing at the front pocket of my jeans. “Oh,” I said stupidly. “Thank you.”
I stood up and gave my phone and iPod reluctantly to my mother’s waiting hand. I did a double take behind me. How did I end up on the couch?
“After all we do for you, you still don’t LISTEN.” She looked at me and then smiled as if she had a sudden epiphany and added, “No computer either.” She glared at me one last time and marched off to the master bedroom.
Just like that it was over. What was left of my pathetic life was over.
“You really scared us Juliet,” my father said after a few minutes. He was suddenly calmer. “Go finish your homework.”
“I’m sorry, Dad-” I apologized staring at his tired face.
“I know you are. Go do your homework...”
I turned to grab my book bag- which had miraculously ended up on the couch next to where I had been knocked down- then started off to my bedroom. I stopped to listen as I passed the master bedroom. Silence. I knocked 3 times and opened the door. My mom was sitting on her bed reading something out of a regular marble notebook.
I studied her face. It was totally expressionless except for her furrowed brow. She didn’t look up as I entered. It was like I wasn’t even there. I gulped and said,
“M-Mom?” Her eyes darted up to me then went back to the page. I took a deep breath and continued. “Mom, I am so sorry.” She sighed, looked up at me and said,
“I’m sorry too, but you can’t keep doing this to us. It’s just gone too far. This is not the first time you’ve done this. It’s selfish and stupid! Not only does it hurt us, but it hurts Sarah as well. She looks up to you. Do you realize that?” I turned my head away from her and stared at the carpeting.
“Yes, I do.”
“Just finish your homework and go to bed. I’m done with you for today.”
I sighed in defeat and left closing the door behind me. “Julie!” I turned around to see Sarah walking towards me holding out her hand. I squinted to see what she was holding. I felt my eyes grow wider and breath catch in my throat. It was the piece of paper Gerard had given to me. Had she read it? I didn’t even know what it said on it. “You dropped this,” she explained cautiously. I smiled, relieved, and said, “Thank you SO much Sarah!” I pulled her into a quick hug, walked into my room and closed the door.
I stayed there in the darkness for about 2 minutes then reached over blindly for the light switch on my wall. The lamp on my desk flickered then continued to produce a steady stream of bright light. I blinked slowly a few times to adjust, and then dragged my feet towards the chair in front of my desk. I looked at the crumpled piece of paper in my hand and placed it on the far corner of the desk. As tempting as it was to unfold it and see what Gerard had written, geometry and literature homework came first.
I sat down and took out two bible-like text books and heaved them onto my desk. They landed with a sickeningly dull thump. It was going to be a very long night.
****************************************************************************************************
I felt a little wave of heat pass over my face. I sat up quickly and regretted it. The room was spinning. I held my arms tightly and blinked. My room came into focus. The sun was beginning to peek through the morning fog outside my window. I sighed and looked at my iHome which read 6:00 AM. Suddenly all of my priorities flashed through my brain. I glanced down to see my Geometry text book open to my unfinished homework. I took a deep breath and glanced at my arms and legs which still wore the clothes I had on yesterday. Time to get up.
I had to literally be out of the door in 5 minutes. I shut my text book and scraped the humongous pile of papers and books into my school bag and stood up. The world slid out of focus again. I grabbed my chair for support. What was wrong with me? I shook it off and rushed to my closet where I took out an outfit and rushed to the shower. I washed my hair, face, and body in what I’m pretty sure was record time and threw on my clothes. I brushed my teeth and pulled my wet hair into a pony tail without looking at a mirror.
I rushed back to my room to get my book bag, phone, glasses, and iPod.
Where was everything?!
As I searched my desk frantically, I saw a tiny piece of folded paper in the corner. Suddenly I had a flashback of yesterday's events. Now I truly remembered everything that happened. I shoved the piece of paper into my front pocket anxiously, put on my glasses, and ran into the hallway. As I made my way to the door I went through the kitchen and grabbed a granola bar. I was going to be late.
As soon as I stepped outside I was thankful I decided to wear capri’s. It was extremely humid out. I stopped in front of a random shop window to check my reflection. I couldn’t see much, but I did see that my hair was starting to frizz. Great. As I walked the 15 blocks to school I let my mind go blank. It was way too early to be doing any sort of thinking.
When I got to school it was 6:40. I was 10 minutes late for my ‘extra curricular studies’. I was basically invited to come to school early to take extra classes so that I could earn more credits for college. Even though I was only 15, they made an exception. I took a deep breath wearily and started up the long flight of stairs to the next floor. Once I got to the top of the landing I stopped and held on to the railing. I felt dead...
********************************************************************************
“Juliet?” I jumped and turned around to see who had called my name. Everything blurred and I felt two hands grab my arms and steady me. “Juliet what’s wrong? How long have you been standing here?” I looked up through my bangs to see my friend Tim staring at me in concern. “Hiya’ Timmy,” I smiled lazily. Tim had always been there for me. We became friends in middle school and have stayed close ever since. I believe he was the one who knew me the best out of my two real friends.
“Juliet, you didn’t answer the question,” he frowned. This only made me smile wider.
“I’m fine,” I said pulling my arms away from his grip defiantly.
“You would have fallen on your face if I hadn’t caught you,” he stated matter-of-factly. He looked at me more closely, "It looks like you already did though. What happened to you?” I reached up a hand to where his eyes were staring and winced when my fingers finally met my cheek.
“Ouch,” I muttered.
“Who did this to you?” he said suddenly sounding very alert. It looked like he was ready to beat up the person who messed up my face. I laughed doubtfully and said, “It’s a very long story. One in which I think you won’t believe.” My jaw felt tight. I tried to move it around but winced. 'Thanks Mom,' I thought.
“Well, I’ve got time to listen,” Tim said pulling me slowly down the next few steps. “You should eat something. Maybe you won’t be so dizzy.” I reluctantly followed him down the steps and into the lunch room where they had some fruit and assorted breakfast items lying about.
“Look, Timmy. I don’t want to have to say my story twice because my jaw is killing me so listen closely.” He nodded and waited for me to get something. I grabbed a chocolate chip muffin and a carton of milk and sat down at the closest lunch table and began to explain the whole story.
We don’t have to pay for breakfast here because half of the kids who come here are Gen. Ed., and most of them can’t afford to pay for lunch and breakfast everyday. So, the administrators of the school were kind enough give every student the right to a free breakfast. After I found this out I went to the cafeteria almost every morning. And after I tasted one of the schools fantastic chocolate chip muffins, I knew that there was some sort of god out there.
****************************************************************************************************
As I had predicted, Tim refused to believe my story right away. It took much convincing on my part throughout the whole day until he finally gave in. “That’s pretty awesome Juliet,” he said still a little ‘star struck’ I suppose…
“Why do you always call me by my full name?” I asked. I knew that question was out of the blue but I couldn’t help it. Everyone else always called me Julie or J or whatever, but he called me Juliet. I waited for his answer.
“Well,” he said looking a little embarrassed, “I just like the way your name sounds. Is there something wrong with that?” He stared at me defensively. I just laughed and shrugged it off.
There was just one more class to go then the day was over. Thank God.
.
2/7/15