He quickly crossed to the other side of the street, hoping they would not notice him. The sound of horns screaming and cars skidding didn’t make a difference to him. The possibility of running into them again made it worth it. Once he thought he had sprinted away far enough from school, he slowed down and started to walk and sighed a bit of relief. But once he heard an ambush of laughter approaching behind him, he began to sprint again.
The same group of guys that had picked on Ben all of his younger years were still going at it. Unfortunately, it had gotten a bit more extreme since then. Being physically picked on and beat up daily after school was getting old. Though Ben was used to it by now, it didn’t make him feel any better and it definitely didn’t take any of the pain away. Today would be the day that he would make a run for it and wouldn’t let those boys overpower him again. You would think that a group of four sophomore’s would know better by now.
Quicker and quicker Ben began to run; block after block. Seeing as Ben was a bit out of shape, having four all-state track stars sprinting after him didn’t make it a long battle. Once they caught up with him, they grabbed him by his arms and took him into an alley. As Ben pleaded and pleaded to be released, it only made them angrier and rougher with him. He apologized repeatedly for anything that he had ever done wrong to them. His promised not to bother them again, like he must have been doing before, without even realizing it.
They were not yet ready to compromise with this idea just yet. As the four began taking turns swinging at Ben’s face and stomach, he finally found something in him. He used to just let him hurt him, and stay quiet until it was time to go; that was always the safest bet. But this time, for whatever reason, was different. He started to scream.
Ben yelled so loud, without pause, for the longest time. Though the boys tried to cover his mouth, Ben would find a way to avoid it and continue to scream. Not even two minutes passed when a familiar shadow turned his head into the alley. The strongest, tallest senior in our whole school began to walk down toward us.
The look on those four boy’s faces were priceless. After the harsh words from the senior, Ben was assured that this daily routine was never to happen again. Once the guys left, Ben stood in silence.
“Why did you bother to help me?” asked Ben.
“Because, I’ve been in your place. I know what it’s like, and I wish I would have had someone here for me.”
Seeing as the upperclassmen didn’t seem very comfortable reliving his past, Ben just left it at that. Even the littlest feeling of being cared for changed the way Ben felt about things. From here on out, he would be much more confident, all because of one stranger that decided to stop and care.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Spring Break.
The weeks past like years, and the days past like months. By the time the countdown reached one week, the entire eighth grade student body became jumpier by the second for the thought of what was ahead. Once it reached the last day of school in the second week of April, each girl and boy that attended Asa Clark Middle School was ready to get out. Only the final few minutes were the worst, and as the clock struck exactly 2:45 and the bell sounded, each child erupted from the stiff, itching position in their desk and rushed through each classroom door. Spring Break was here, and we were free; for now.
Practically every group of friends gathered at the front door to walk out as one as they would make their way to one of their homes, to celebrate the beginning week of their freedom together. I, on the other hand, walked right out of the doors and headed for my bus alone. Hearing the excited shrieks and plans being made coming from each of the different groups barely effected my mod at first, but once passing my group of friends; that was when my heart dropped.
My group of friends consisted the eight best friends (plus me) that I could ask for and we were all happy being our own group. To enjoy our Spring Break, like always, all nine of our families take a vacation to Mexico. Since fourth grade, this tradition has continued to carry on. This is why, when my parents had to inform me that we could not afford the trip this spring, I was beyond devastated. As I walked past the eight of them, my eyes began to water and I couldn’t help but run the rest of the way to my bus.
Thanks to my parents, I will spend my entire spring break alone. Each other group of friends have plans of their own made. Hanging out with my family was not exactly an option I was too excited about now, so my decision now was clear. Since I now had the entire week ahead of me, I now had time to do what I wish to do with endless possibilities. To start, I merely headed for the beach. I’m not sure what it was about the beach that drew me there, but since my choices were wide open, I figured I’d give it a go.
Alone, I made my way down the road to Pewaukee Lake and the beach. Though you may think that it would be flooded with people, celebrating Spring Break with their friends; you are wrong. The beach was completely deserted from top to bottom. Every student from Pewaukee had found other, exciting plans; not including a trip to the beach. At the point, I was almost happier to be alone than not.
I walked up and down the point of the beach where the sand and the water met; back and forth for the longest time. Eventually, once I got tired, I collapsed into the sand up against a life guard chair-tower. Sitting alone in the sand and staring out at the waves was when I realized just how lonely I really felt; until I heard footsteps from behind me.
The figure could not see me, nor could I see it; though I knew he was there. Finally, he came into perfect view, right in front of my face. Ben Seller gazed out into the waves, just as I did for some time before he noticed my company.
“Oh. Hi, I didn’t see you there,” Ben said, seeming almost embarrassed.
“Oh,” I replied to him, trying to reassure him not the feel embarrassed.
Ben is probably in the top three for the most popular, well-known guys in my entire school. Seeing him in public made me feel a bit star struck.
“Don’t worry about it,” I finished after a delay.
“Hey what are you even doing here? Don’t you usually go to Mexico with all of your friends for Spring Break?” Ben asked, actually sounding a bit curious.
“Well, um, my family, this year.. We-“ I began to stutter, but he cut me off.
“You don’t even have to say it, I totally understand.”
“Well thanks, you’re one of the only ones who does,” I added.
“What do you mean?” Ben asked, stepping closer and then sitting down next to me.
“Well, my friends.. They don’t really understand what it’s like to struggle with this kind of stuff. They never have this problem with their families,” I explained.
The conversation between us drove on and on, reaching to other topics along the way. When I finally took a moment to look away from him and to my phone, I saw that three hours had passed and I had eight missed calls. Where did the time go?
At the end of the conversation, I finally found the courage to ask.
“So, why are you even here now? Shouldn’t you be out with your friends?”
“Well, my friends all drove up to Door County, but my parents are watching over my sick aunt, and doesn’t want me to go without them. You know how strict parents are,” he explained.
“Yeah, I completely understand,” I added.
“Speaking of, I better be getting home, they’re probably worried,” Ben said, standing up.
“Same here,” I mumbled under as I grabbed for the hand Ben lent me.
“So, who will you be hanging around with now that all of your friends are gone for the week?” he asked.
“Not a clue yet, what about you?” I questioned back.
“Same. Maybe we could hang out tomorrow again? Do you have any plans?” He asked.
“None at all,” I answered, trying to sound calm.
“Cool then; meet me here at noon maybe?” he asked.
“Sounds good.”
As Ben turned around to walk back to his home, I don’t think he realized what a smile he left on my face.
Every day for the rest of the week, Ben and I met up at the beach. Each day at 12 o’clock noon, as I walked to the Lake, I would find him standing there waiting for me. The two of us would stay out past curfew and still talk on the phone all night. We spent every second together, becoming what I thought to be, just very good friends. It was on the last day of Spring Break did I realize what good friends we had become.
After our longest and final talk of the break, and after hearing the words actually come out of his mouth telling me how much he cared about me, I was sure that my life would change from here on out.
But soon enough, the long week had passed, the vacationers were back in town, and we were back in school. As I would walk past Ben in the hall and see him with his friends, I would occasionally get a smile or so, but nothing more than that. And although I was a bit disappointed, I didn’t seem to care as much as you’d think. I’ve told this story to my friends a million times, but they find it a bit hard to believe most of the time; which doesn’t bother me one bit. I know what happened that Spring Break, and so does Ben. The experience was enough for me, and I’m still not sure what drew me to the beach that first day, but whatever it was, that is one decision I will never regret.
Practically every group of friends gathered at the front door to walk out as one as they would make their way to one of their homes, to celebrate the beginning week of their freedom together. I, on the other hand, walked right out of the doors and headed for my bus alone. Hearing the excited shrieks and plans being made coming from each of the different groups barely effected my mod at first, but once passing my group of friends; that was when my heart dropped.
My group of friends consisted the eight best friends (plus me) that I could ask for and we were all happy being our own group. To enjoy our Spring Break, like always, all nine of our families take a vacation to Mexico. Since fourth grade, this tradition has continued to carry on. This is why, when my parents had to inform me that we could not afford the trip this spring, I was beyond devastated. As I walked past the eight of them, my eyes began to water and I couldn’t help but run the rest of the way to my bus.
Thanks to my parents, I will spend my entire spring break alone. Each other group of friends have plans of their own made. Hanging out with my family was not exactly an option I was too excited about now, so my decision now was clear. Since I now had the entire week ahead of me, I now had time to do what I wish to do with endless possibilities. To start, I merely headed for the beach. I’m not sure what it was about the beach that drew me there, but since my choices were wide open, I figured I’d give it a go.
Alone, I made my way down the road to Pewaukee Lake and the beach. Though you may think that it would be flooded with people, celebrating Spring Break with their friends; you are wrong. The beach was completely deserted from top to bottom. Every student from Pewaukee had found other, exciting plans; not including a trip to the beach. At the point, I was almost happier to be alone than not.
I walked up and down the point of the beach where the sand and the water met; back and forth for the longest time. Eventually, once I got tired, I collapsed into the sand up against a life guard chair-tower. Sitting alone in the sand and staring out at the waves was when I realized just how lonely I really felt; until I heard footsteps from behind me.
The figure could not see me, nor could I see it; though I knew he was there. Finally, he came into perfect view, right in front of my face. Ben Seller gazed out into the waves, just as I did for some time before he noticed my company.
“Oh. Hi, I didn’t see you there,” Ben said, seeming almost embarrassed.
“Oh,” I replied to him, trying to reassure him not the feel embarrassed.
Ben is probably in the top three for the most popular, well-known guys in my entire school. Seeing him in public made me feel a bit star struck.
“Don’t worry about it,” I finished after a delay.
“Hey what are you even doing here? Don’t you usually go to Mexico with all of your friends for Spring Break?” Ben asked, actually sounding a bit curious.
“Well, um, my family, this year.. We-“ I began to stutter, but he cut me off.
“You don’t even have to say it, I totally understand.”
“Well thanks, you’re one of the only ones who does,” I added.
“What do you mean?” Ben asked, stepping closer and then sitting down next to me.
“Well, my friends.. They don’t really understand what it’s like to struggle with this kind of stuff. They never have this problem with their families,” I explained.
The conversation between us drove on and on, reaching to other topics along the way. When I finally took a moment to look away from him and to my phone, I saw that three hours had passed and I had eight missed calls. Where did the time go?
At the end of the conversation, I finally found the courage to ask.
“So, why are you even here now? Shouldn’t you be out with your friends?”
“Well, my friends all drove up to Door County, but my parents are watching over my sick aunt, and doesn’t want me to go without them. You know how strict parents are,” he explained.
“Yeah, I completely understand,” I added.
“Speaking of, I better be getting home, they’re probably worried,” Ben said, standing up.
“Same here,” I mumbled under as I grabbed for the hand Ben lent me.
“So, who will you be hanging around with now that all of your friends are gone for the week?” he asked.
“Not a clue yet, what about you?” I questioned back.
“Same. Maybe we could hang out tomorrow again? Do you have any plans?” He asked.
“None at all,” I answered, trying to sound calm.
“Cool then; meet me here at noon maybe?” he asked.
“Sounds good.”
As Ben turned around to walk back to his home, I don’t think he realized what a smile he left on my face.
Every day for the rest of the week, Ben and I met up at the beach. Each day at 12 o’clock noon, as I walked to the Lake, I would find him standing there waiting for me. The two of us would stay out past curfew and still talk on the phone all night. We spent every second together, becoming what I thought to be, just very good friends. It was on the last day of Spring Break did I realize what good friends we had become.
After our longest and final talk of the break, and after hearing the words actually come out of his mouth telling me how much he cared about me, I was sure that my life would change from here on out.
But soon enough, the long week had passed, the vacationers were back in town, and we were back in school. As I would walk past Ben in the hall and see him with his friends, I would occasionally get a smile or so, but nothing more than that. And although I was a bit disappointed, I didn’t seem to care as much as you’d think. I’ve told this story to my friends a million times, but they find it a bit hard to believe most of the time; which doesn’t bother me one bit. I know what happened that Spring Break, and so does Ben. The experience was enough for me, and I’m still not sure what drew me to the beach that first day, but whatever it was, that is one decision I will never regret.
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