Limits
1
I was half asleep as I trudged into school. I was a senior at Middletown High and it was only March. I had another four months left and then I was free... until college. Here's the thing about college. My brother went off a few years ago to UCLA and my parents are all for me following him there. But I don't want to go to UCLA. I don't even want to go to college. Ever since I was a little girl, I always had a mind of my own. I didn't let other people's opinions influence mine. Everybody constantly talks about college but when the conversation comes up I usually zone out.
I want to travel. I only have so many years to live and I don’t want to spend four our even more years in a classroom when I can go to foreign countries and learn about the cultures there. Once, I briefly brought it up that I didn’t want to go to college and they looked at me as if I was insane. I feel like they don’t even have their own opinions and it’s kind of sad to think their whole lives revolve around college, as if it is the most important thing that will ever happen to them.
Experiences and things you learn on the road will be a million times better than anything out of a textbook, which not to mention, are way too expensive anyway. That’s what I believe, and maybe I’m wrong, but who knows?
“What’s up, Emma?” my best friend Will asked as I walked up to my locker. His was the one next to mine.
“I went to sleep at 3am last night,” I groaned and struggled to open it.
“That’s all you,” he laughed.
“Shut up.”
We walked to English together and sat in our seats towards the back of the class. The teacher was late so I turned to talk to Will.
“What’s new?”
“Did you meet the new kid yet?” he asked.
“No? There’s a new kid?”
“Yeah, he’s a senior,” he told me.
“It’s the middle of the year,” I replied.
“I know, it’s weird,” he said. “I heard rumors but I don’t know if any of them are true, though.”
“Tell me!”
“Apparently he got expelled for beating some kid unconscious.”
“Holy shit,” I said.
“Yeah, and his mom had to move here so he could graduate.”
“Where do they live?”
“That house just outside town by the train tracks,” he told me.
“By the tracks?” He nodded. “Shit.”
The tracks were the most dangerous part of town, especially at night. Nobody had lived in the house in years. The late bell rang and our teacher, Ms. Jacobs, walked in straight after. “Sorry, everyone,” she said as she put her stuff down and began class.
The day moved slowly, and I was exhausted by the time I walked into my last period class, AP Calculus. I was a little early, so there were only two other people in the room. One was Ms. Camp, and some guy I had never seen before. I knew it was the new kid. He had curly brown hair that fell messily across his forehead but still looked good. I couldn’t see his eyes as he was staring intently down at the desk and appeared to be fiddling with an eyebrow piercing. I took my seat, which was directly behind him, and put down my bag. He never even looked up.
Several minutes later, everyone else began filing into the room and taking their seats. I heard whispers about the guy in front of me, and I’m pretty sure he heard them, too.
“We have a new student joining us for the rest of the year,” Ms. Camp announced. “Harry Styles. Say hello.”
There was a lazy chorus of ‘hello’s but Ms. Camp didn’t even bother to get us to do it correctly. I don’t think Harry minded. He didn’t even turn around. Class was long and boring and I nearly jumped up from my seat when the bell rang.
“Do your homework!” she called as we left for the weekend.
I met up with Will and he told me he was going to a party at this girl Sarah’s house. I nodded and was about to speak when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see the dean, Mr. Reese.
“Can I see you in my office?” he asked me.
“Uh, yeah, sure,” I said and gave Will a confused look. I followed Mr. Reese to his office.
“Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble,” he said as we both sat down. A wave of relief washed over me. “It’s about college.”
“Oh,” I sighed. I should have expected this conversation to come up sooner or later.
“Have you gotten into any colleges?”
“No,” I replied.
“And you’re not… worried?”
“I’m not going to college,” I said.
“You’re not?” he asked. I shook my head. “Any reasons why?”
“I just want to do other things,” I told him, not wanting to get into it. This conversation was already uncomfortable.
“Okay, just wondering,” he smiled to clear the tension. “I also wanted to ask you another thing.”
“Yes?”
“Have you met the new student?” he asked. “Harry Styles, I think?”
“I haven’t talked to him, but he’s in my calculus class,” I said.
“Oh, okay,” he replied. “Ask him if he needs help or anything. I just want him to feel welcome at the school.”
“No problem,” I smiled and got up to leave after he dismissed me. I quickly walked back to where Will was waiting for me and we turned to leave.
“What was that?”
“He asked me about college and to ask the new kid if he needed any help,” I said.
“Well, don’t, unless you want to get stabbed,” he laughed.
“You’re not funny,” I laughed back. “Shit, I forgot my english book, I’ll meet you outside.”
I walked back to my locker and opened it to get my book. When I turned the corner once again, I saw Harry with Liam, a kid in my gym class, pushed up against the locker.
“Don’t start fucking rumors when you know nothing,” Harry yelled. My stomach twisted. I probably should have done something but I wouldn’t have helped.
“Alright, dude, chill,” he said and pushed Harry off. I breathed in relief when Liam defended himself. I had no idea why I felt responsible.
Harry suddenly turned to look at me and so did Liam. I realized I’d been standing at the top of the hall watching so I started walking towards them again.
“Hey, Emma,” he said.
“Hey,” I replied but was looking at Harry, who was looking at me as well. I saw a slight smile on his face but I continued towards the door without thinking too much of it. I walked down to where Will's car was parked outside and we drove away.
“Let me know if you’re coming to the party later,” he said when he pulled up outside of my house.
“I’ll text you,” I said, getting out of the car. “Thanks for the ride!”
I went inside and found my mom sitting at the kitchen table on the computer.
“How was school?” she asked me without looking up.
“Good, I’m going over to Will’s later to hang out,” I told her. I never said anything about parties because she was pretty strict about that type of thing. Will was an old family friend and she was close with his parents.
“Okay, be back by one, please,” she said. I nodded and walked upstairs. My curfew was usually around that time, and it was a Friday night so it wasn’t too out of the ordinary around Middletown.
When I got to my room, I laid down on my bed and texted Will that I’d pick him up later to go to the party since he drove me home from school. Still exhausted from school, I plugged in my phone to charge and turned over to take a nap.
I woke up at 8 pm. I checked my phone to see Will told me to be there at nine so I still had an hour. I rushed to shove a black dress and heels into my bag. I threw some makeup into the front pocket and ran downstairs.
“I’ll see you later,” I told my mom who was now on the couch reading.
“What’s in the bag?” she asked me.
“Movies and some books so we can study,” I smiled.
“Alright,” she sighed and I left. I walked to the garage and entered the code to lift the door. I walked over to the drivers side and threw my bag into the passenger’s seat. I started the car and pulled out of the driveway, closed the garage door, and headed towards Will’s.
I parked across the street and walked to their stoop. I texted Will I was outside and soon after he opened the door.
“Hey!” I said. When I walked inside. His mom and dad were sitting at the table eating dinner.
“Sorry to interrupt.”
“No, no,” his mom, Sheila, assured me. “You know you’re always welcome here.”
“Thanks,” I smiled.
“You guys going to a party tonight?” his dad, Mike, asked.
“Yep,” Will said. I nodded in agreement.
“Don’t come home completely wasted,” he joked.
“Mike!” Sheila scolded. “Don’t come home wasted at all. Don’t even drink.”
“Okay, mom!” Will groaned and I laughed. We went upstairs.
“I need to get ready, I didn’t even tell my mom we were going to a party,” I said when we were in his room.
“I know you didn’t,” he smiled.
“Be right back.”
I went into the bathroom and put on the dress and heels, which were also black. My hair was still straight from school so I left it alone and redid my makeup, using darker eye shadow and retraced my eyeliner. I walked out of the bathroom and Will was sitting on his bed on his phone. He looked up.
“You look nice,” he complimented.
“Thanks!” I smiled.
I guess I should explain the situation between Will and I. We’ve known each other since sixth grade when he moved into town. We became friends in seventh grade and I had a huge crush on him. In freshman year, he kissed me and we went out for a month. It didn’t turn out well and we broke up and have just stayed best friends. The failed relationship didn’t ruin our friendship at all and I’m really thankful for that, and besides, he has a girlfriend now. Her name is Madison and they started dating about four months ago. I’ve grown close to her too because she’s funny and just an amazing overall person.
“Where’s Madison?” I asked.
“She’s sick, she stayed home from school,” he said.
“Oh, I have to call her,” I said, concerned.
“It’s not too serious,” he smiled. We walked downstairs and out to my car, saying bye to his parents. I started up the car and drove towards the party at Sarah’s.
I want to travel. I only have so many years to live and I don’t want to spend four our even more years in a classroom when I can go to foreign countries and learn about the cultures there. Once, I briefly brought it up that I didn’t want to go to college and they looked at me as if I was insane. I feel like they don’t even have their own opinions and it’s kind of sad to think their whole lives revolve around college, as if it is the most important thing that will ever happen to them.
Experiences and things you learn on the road will be a million times better than anything out of a textbook, which not to mention, are way too expensive anyway. That’s what I believe, and maybe I’m wrong, but who knows?
“What’s up, Emma?” my best friend Will asked as I walked up to my locker. His was the one next to mine.
“I went to sleep at 3am last night,” I groaned and struggled to open it.
“That’s all you,” he laughed.
“Shut up.”
We walked to English together and sat in our seats towards the back of the class. The teacher was late so I turned to talk to Will.
“What’s new?”
“Did you meet the new kid yet?” he asked.
“No? There’s a new kid?”
“Yeah, he’s a senior,” he told me.
“It’s the middle of the year,” I replied.
“I know, it’s weird,” he said. “I heard rumors but I don’t know if any of them are true, though.”
“Tell me!”
“Apparently he got expelled for beating some kid unconscious.”
“Holy shit,” I said.
“Yeah, and his mom had to move here so he could graduate.”
“Where do they live?”
“That house just outside town by the train tracks,” he told me.
“By the tracks?” He nodded. “Shit.”
The tracks were the most dangerous part of town, especially at night. Nobody had lived in the house in years. The late bell rang and our teacher, Ms. Jacobs, walked in straight after. “Sorry, everyone,” she said as she put her stuff down and began class.
The day moved slowly, and I was exhausted by the time I walked into my last period class, AP Calculus. I was a little early, so there were only two other people in the room. One was Ms. Camp, and some guy I had never seen before. I knew it was the new kid. He had curly brown hair that fell messily across his forehead but still looked good. I couldn’t see his eyes as he was staring intently down at the desk and appeared to be fiddling with an eyebrow piercing. I took my seat, which was directly behind him, and put down my bag. He never even looked up.
Several minutes later, everyone else began filing into the room and taking their seats. I heard whispers about the guy in front of me, and I’m pretty sure he heard them, too.
“We have a new student joining us for the rest of the year,” Ms. Camp announced. “Harry Styles. Say hello.”
There was a lazy chorus of ‘hello’s but Ms. Camp didn’t even bother to get us to do it correctly. I don’t think Harry minded. He didn’t even turn around. Class was long and boring and I nearly jumped up from my seat when the bell rang.
“Do your homework!” she called as we left for the weekend.
I met up with Will and he told me he was going to a party at this girl Sarah’s house. I nodded and was about to speak when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see the dean, Mr. Reese.
“Can I see you in my office?” he asked me.
“Uh, yeah, sure,” I said and gave Will a confused look. I followed Mr. Reese to his office.
“Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble,” he said as we both sat down. A wave of relief washed over me. “It’s about college.”
“Oh,” I sighed. I should have expected this conversation to come up sooner or later.
“Have you gotten into any colleges?”
“No,” I replied.
“And you’re not… worried?”
“I’m not going to college,” I said.
“You’re not?” he asked. I shook my head. “Any reasons why?”
“I just want to do other things,” I told him, not wanting to get into it. This conversation was already uncomfortable.
“Okay, just wondering,” he smiled to clear the tension. “I also wanted to ask you another thing.”
“Yes?”
“Have you met the new student?” he asked. “Harry Styles, I think?”
“I haven’t talked to him, but he’s in my calculus class,” I said.
“Oh, okay,” he replied. “Ask him if he needs help or anything. I just want him to feel welcome at the school.”
“No problem,” I smiled and got up to leave after he dismissed me. I quickly walked back to where Will was waiting for me and we turned to leave.
“What was that?”
“He asked me about college and to ask the new kid if he needed any help,” I said.
“Well, don’t, unless you want to get stabbed,” he laughed.
“You’re not funny,” I laughed back. “Shit, I forgot my english book, I’ll meet you outside.”
I walked back to my locker and opened it to get my book. When I turned the corner once again, I saw Harry with Liam, a kid in my gym class, pushed up against the locker.
“Don’t start fucking rumors when you know nothing,” Harry yelled. My stomach twisted. I probably should have done something but I wouldn’t have helped.
“Alright, dude, chill,” he said and pushed Harry off. I breathed in relief when Liam defended himself. I had no idea why I felt responsible.
Harry suddenly turned to look at me and so did Liam. I realized I’d been standing at the top of the hall watching so I started walking towards them again.
“Hey, Emma,” he said.
“Hey,” I replied but was looking at Harry, who was looking at me as well. I saw a slight smile on his face but I continued towards the door without thinking too much of it. I walked down to where Will's car was parked outside and we drove away.
“Let me know if you’re coming to the party later,” he said when he pulled up outside of my house.
“I’ll text you,” I said, getting out of the car. “Thanks for the ride!”
I went inside and found my mom sitting at the kitchen table on the computer.
“How was school?” she asked me without looking up.
“Good, I’m going over to Will’s later to hang out,” I told her. I never said anything about parties because she was pretty strict about that type of thing. Will was an old family friend and she was close with his parents.
“Okay, be back by one, please,” she said. I nodded and walked upstairs. My curfew was usually around that time, and it was a Friday night so it wasn’t too out of the ordinary around Middletown.
When I got to my room, I laid down on my bed and texted Will that I’d pick him up later to go to the party since he drove me home from school. Still exhausted from school, I plugged in my phone to charge and turned over to take a nap.
I woke up at 8 pm. I checked my phone to see Will told me to be there at nine so I still had an hour. I rushed to shove a black dress and heels into my bag. I threw some makeup into the front pocket and ran downstairs.
“I’ll see you later,” I told my mom who was now on the couch reading.
“What’s in the bag?” she asked me.
“Movies and some books so we can study,” I smiled.
“Alright,” she sighed and I left. I walked to the garage and entered the code to lift the door. I walked over to the drivers side and threw my bag into the passenger’s seat. I started the car and pulled out of the driveway, closed the garage door, and headed towards Will’s.
I parked across the street and walked to their stoop. I texted Will I was outside and soon after he opened the door.
“Hey!” I said. When I walked inside. His mom and dad were sitting at the table eating dinner.
“Sorry to interrupt.”
“No, no,” his mom, Sheila, assured me. “You know you’re always welcome here.”
“Thanks,” I smiled.
“You guys going to a party tonight?” his dad, Mike, asked.
“Yep,” Will said. I nodded in agreement.
“Don’t come home completely wasted,” he joked.
“Mike!” Sheila scolded. “Don’t come home wasted at all. Don’t even drink.”
“Okay, mom!” Will groaned and I laughed. We went upstairs.
“I need to get ready, I didn’t even tell my mom we were going to a party,” I said when we were in his room.
“I know you didn’t,” he smiled.
“Be right back.”
I went into the bathroom and put on the dress and heels, which were also black. My hair was still straight from school so I left it alone and redid my makeup, using darker eye shadow and retraced my eyeliner. I walked out of the bathroom and Will was sitting on his bed on his phone. He looked up.
“You look nice,” he complimented.
“Thanks!” I smiled.
I guess I should explain the situation between Will and I. We’ve known each other since sixth grade when he moved into town. We became friends in seventh grade and I had a huge crush on him. In freshman year, he kissed me and we went out for a month. It didn’t turn out well and we broke up and have just stayed best friends. The failed relationship didn’t ruin our friendship at all and I’m really thankful for that, and besides, he has a girlfriend now. Her name is Madison and they started dating about four months ago. I’ve grown close to her too because she’s funny and just an amazing overall person.
“Where’s Madison?” I asked.
“She’s sick, she stayed home from school,” he said.
“Oh, I have to call her,” I said, concerned.
“It’s not too serious,” he smiled. We walked downstairs and out to my car, saying bye to his parents. I started up the car and drove towards the party at Sarah’s.
10/4/13