A Place Little Romeo Belongs

Scene 7

Little Romeo did find love, just where I least expected it, 4000 Km away. I'd first met a girl through an online chatroom called Whyville. She said she was five years older and a model. I wouldn't get bullied if I dated a model and she said she had gigs all over Canada.

For a model, her pictures were non-existent. I asked for a portfolio picture, wondering how a model didn't own their own camera, or at least decent pictures. Those were under contract. Made sense.

She knew I lived in a strict household and wasn't supposed to be communicating online. But if I got a webcam, she'd go on hers. I used my birthday money. With anxiety running high, I bought one from Best Buy, feeling like a criminal. The clerk obviously thought I was going to sell my body online!

We only fought about it but that was how I met my first love; Cindy Moon. She messaged while her sister was away asking how her sister could be so cruel to me, I just sent her the cutest messages. I told her that I didn't understand either. Cindy was only a year older and asked if she could add me. It blossomed from there.

Like most of the girls, she was interested in a boy that treated her badly and couldn't see her worth. What started as something in grade 7, would become big for my heart in grade 8.

Scene 8

Grade 7 started and life got good, briefly. Bullies kept diminishing and I'd become adept at running. I had grown a favourite bully, but he had graduated Grade 8 the year before. Yes, you read that right, a favourite. He was tall and sexy. He was chasing Moltres so he'd assert his dominance and was the only bully fast enough to chase me. He made me a faster runner and also had Moltres coming to my rescue.

Our group had formed an anti-bullying crew and were about to add another boy to it. A seven-foot-tall boy walked into our class. I looked wide-eyed and thought, that's one tall kid... he's probably going to get bullied... I was new before and Calvin helped me... I'd often get in trouble for being out of my desk but didn't when the teacher had asked use to give the Tall Boy a warm welcome. I got up, ran to the front, and introduced myself.

A lot of people got a nickname, and they came naturally, me being terrible with names. My best friend that was a girl was “Walking buddy” and we'd walk to school together each day. We couldn't have dated though, the friendship was too sacred to Little Romeo.

We gave my phallus a nickname; Stumpy, and it stuck for life. I loved it since it wasn't a stump. It would become a magic trick in it's own statement. It gave me confidence as I thought I looked alien in nature. She was the only person in elementary that knew Romeo's favourite colour was purple. We agreed we needed a Pinter; a purple winter.

Then she poked my belly and I giggled, being very sensitive but trusting her. She said I laughed liked the Pillsbury Dough-boy. Now I had my Halloween costume idea. All the girls could poke my belly and I would make them laugh.

The Tall boy came trick or treating and I told him to dress warm, I had the year prior to make up for. I used Mapquest, printing off maps of Pile O' Butts, where Mother Teresa would take me. I marked off the locations worth visiting. We ran from house to house. I saved one street for our way back at the end of the night.

We stopped at the only one on the street with a light left on but he'd informed us that he'd ran out of candy. All he had was beer but we looked too young. “Look at my friend! He's too tall to be a kid!” I said.

He laughed and came back with two cans of V8. I hated tomato juice, but reasoned I didn't show up to leave without a heavier pillowcase. We had 7 of them by the end of the night which took me a half day to sort!

I'd often roll my eyes at my grandparents saying "back in the day", but back in my day, the Saskatchewan winters were much colder. If we were constructive, we could use the computers instead of being miserable outside. The boys and I started 'Free Hotdogs', an electronic band. Montague being a creative writer, had come up with the name, “All the kids will rush down to the gym when the intercom announces 'Free Hotdogs are now playing in the gym. I repeat, Free Hotdogs are now in the gym,”. I loved it.

The teacher agreed to cut our CD if we had enough songs. We had all sorts of hits from a poppy love affair with food, to a sad country song about shoes. By the end of the year, the novelty had worn off and other members were checking out at lack of cheques. I'd manage to create enough to cut the CD, but Free Hotdogs dried up into Stale Hotdogs. I hoped for a revitalization tour.

Scene 9

I wanted a dog even though I hated them, just wanting a friend. My parents were sure I couldn't handle a dog so we agreed to trial run fish. I wanted something exotic, but they said to start with goldfish. Still, I found a lone black goldfish with bulgy eyes. Weird like me. Mom agreed to get that along with regular ones.

I didn't name them since they all looked the same. I heard they only had a 3 second intention span and figured I'd just have to constantly remind them who they were. I'd forget to feed them from time to time but was pretty good and cleaned the tank even if it was a hassle. Mother Teresa would often remind me, being hyperfocused on video games. Never-the-less, goldfish started dying one by one. My parents would say I needed to take better care of them. I would insist I was.

Detective Romeo came out. I noticed a couple playing tag, except only one fish was it; the bulgy-eyed goldfish. I decided to name him 'Crasher' since he'd chase the others until they crashed into something. My attitude towards Ultimate Fish Champions shifted since he was framing me.

Mother Teresa briefly believed me when I was cleaning out the tank. I lit up and shouted, “Neat!” as I pulled a fish eyeball out of the filter. She knew I wasn't mutilating my fish. I continued observation. Crasher chased one fish around and smacked into it as I watched it get caught in the filter. Horrified, I set the fish free and knew I had a psychotic goldfish in the tank.

My parents were still convinced I was the problem. No one believed me about anything. One by one, the goldfish died until it was just Crasher and one other goldfish. But Crasher started to act funny. He'd gotten sick; Fin Rot.

How appropriate! I was going to leave him to die and atone for his crimes against the tank, but I had too big of a heart. Maybe if I cured him, he'd change his ways! I separated him from the tank, and applied medication, but Crasher didn't make it.

I held a real ceremony for Crasher, stating he was going where he'd sent the other goldfish: down the toilet. Except now all I had was one lone goldfish and that doesn't make for a happy boy. My parents weren't buying me any more. I stopped caring and reasoned it must have sucked to watch your friends get murdered, watch the murderer die of sickness, and now have to live alone. I still fed him but he could clean his own tank.

A month went by and I got up for school as the sun shined directly on the tank. I couldn't help but notice how green it was from Algae. All that lone goldfish had been through flashed before my eyes. Now he was living in a tank I couldn't see the other side of. What constitution this goldfish had! I named him that morning: Hero Fish.

I was so proud of Hero Fish that I announced as soon as I got home, I'd clean Pollution Park. It was the least I could do. When I got home after school, Hero Fish was belly up! I hoped he was sleeping so I poked him. I started to cry for Hero Fish. I gave him a proper ceremony and apologized for not cleaning pollution park. Procrastination literally killed.

Scene 10

Mother Teresa noticed an absurd amount of tissue paper in Little Romeo's room. While I'd found my body and enjoyed it after initially being disgusted by the entire thing, my brain would become overloaded with the idea of bodily fluids on me.

Montague wasn't comfortable talking about the birds and the bees with Romeo and so that was left to Mother Teresa.

We'd been watching a Soap Opera when two people started kissing. “Uh oh... She's gonna have a baby now!” Mother Teresa was curious where I thought babies came from, “Well, it starts with the cuddling, and then the kissing... but then the man spits down the woman's throat and she grows a baby. After 9 months, the doctor comes to extract the baby with a giant meat hook!”

Sounds about right? Mother Teresa gave me a book that I didn't care to read until I grew curious in Grade 7. I took the book to her, “THIS is how babies are made?!” and she calmly said yes. “And you and Dad do THIS?!” and she calmly said yes. “You two are gross!” Little Romeo said throwing the book at her and running to my room.

She tried to explain to Little Romeo that losing your virginity with someone special was worth the wait. Except if I waited forever! She said there was a difference between having sex, and making love. That didn't make sense!

I thought about it. I made coffee with a girl. First, we agreed we were making coffee. I took a sip and it tasted like coffee. Then we agreed to make love this time. It tasted the exact same! I just grunted at Mother Teresa.

“Romeo. Don't waste your love on someone who doesn't value it,”

Scene 11

Grade 8 was my year. At first I was disappointed we got a new teacher, at least until Mrs. K walked in the first day and smiled. I'd always had a thing for the older girls, they were more mature.

I'd reasoned if mom's friend wasn't married by the time I was done high school, I would marry and treat her right. I caught her garter band at the wedding, not understanding the significance. I would ride around with it on my bike handles until Mother Teresa put an end to it.

The mothers and older sisters of the kids at school added confusion. Zapdos sister would often comment on how cute I was. Her mother said the same thing while kissing me on the cheek. I wasn't sure if it was meant as a confidence boost. I dealt in concrete, not quicksand.

It had been a year of talking to Cindy Moon. We'd make it official while I'd say she was free to end it for the local boy. I committed though.

Our group was like any other group of boys, we were pretty concerned about losing our virginity. I didn't want to end up a 40-year-old virgin, but I knew I wasn't getting very far having fallen for someone on Canada's coast.

My snoopy parents found the webcam and Cindy in the process. She'd insist that I was very cute and I'd believe her even if I didn't agree. She liked my rockstar hair. My parents insisted a webcam interview or I had to drop communication.

That embarrassed a nerdy boy trying to act hard. She was feisty. While I loved the Backstreet Boys, our song had become “Suga Suga by Baby Bash”. Far out of my music repertoire. I worried about the interview but she took it seriously, smiling big. I just stared at her, soaking it in.

After, Mother Teresa commented on how beautiful she was and I couldn't disagree. Montague commented on her composure. I only grew to love her more as the distance became harder to contend with.

One night, Cindy said I should get a later bedtime, she had a surprise for me. That seemed impossible, tomorrow was a school day! She insisted it was worth fighting for and Mother Teresa couldn't argue. All she'd known was how good she was in my life.

The computer was password protected so I'd rush home to finish my homework, getting on once Mother Teresa got home. My grades were high, I was taking Microbiology seriously.

I'd been able to open up to her about the things that riddled my brain. I reasoned she couldn't run away already being 4000 Km away. She didn't always have something to say, but was always there. I was grateful to have her in my life. I hugged the computer after having confessed my love, hoping to send my over-brimming passion down the Ethernet cords.

I couldn't figure out what the surprise was. She teased the most naive boy as I begged to stop guessing, hating surprises and just wanting to be in her arms.

She asked if Little Romeo wanted to see her boobs. I became a wide-eyed nerd. I loved boobs! But she was worth more to me and I always tried to be Prince Charming. Sometimes my brain got the best of me, “Shit yeah!” I replied.

They were something else. Everything felt so effortless with Cindy. I hated talking on the phone, but couldn't stop with Cindy once we figured out we weren't getting charged for it. Her voice soothed me.

I'd still have to listen about what the other boy was doing. He was doing the same things to her, that girls were doing to me. It hurt. All I wanted to do was love her like she'd never been. She already gave me so much. I tried to, but couldn't fully imagine what it would have been like to be with her.

I reasoned she wasn't flashing me, but showing me that she did love and trust a weird boy 4000 Km away. That's what was special to Little Romeo. I asked if I could tell the boys. She laughed and didn't care, only inquired if I'd taken a screenshot. I was far to naive and told her she could never make me hate her enough to ever leak an image of her like that. She gave me her classic 'awe', and I would get my classic Morty drooling face.

I was in love and could only think about one girl. I asked if I was allowed to do unsavoury things to myself while thinking of her. She laughed, said I was weird, and that she didn't care. But I did.

High school had started for her and she started smoking Marijuana. I'd been told terrible things about the devil's lettuce by my parents. I hoped she wasn't smoking it for the other guy. I worried he just wanted her for her body. I hoped she wasn't as sad as me. I'd carry other people's pain with my own. I told her she shouldn't need the Marijuana, just my love. Cindy pointed out the obvious; I was 4000 Km away and hadn't started high school.

She was right and a brain-reality formed. I'd hold on all of high school, while she at least got the physical aspect of the on again, off again relationship. But in the end, he smartened up, and they got married as high school sweethearts. The logic wasn't there.

I tried to remain friends as they started dating, but it was hard to hear about the crappy things he'd do. I'd be there, and then she'd go hang out with the guy she just complained about. I wondered if she was trying to change someone who didn't want to change. And like most girls, she became confused and angry at my new found lack of romanticism. That seemed to be cheating on her end, while just keeping me trapped.

We fought a couple times but it started to affect my ability at school. I put her aside and wished the best for her high school.

Scene 12

I'd found a lot in grade 8, including some confidence. I told the boys we were going to be the kings of the school. It needed better organization and leadership! That was coming from a boy whose desk often mutated into a pile underneath. I put my name in for President.

I was disappointed in the lack of campaigning, the fun part. We wrote speeches for the teachers instead. That worried me. I put teachers into different categories based on how much I figured they liked me. I didn't write a speech for the ones that liked me, nor the ones that didn't like me; I wrote my speech to the teachers on the fence.

It ended up a tie between me and a girl in Grade 7. I didn't care that it was a girl, they often seemed better organized, but she was a grade lower and this was my Grade 8 year! Her solution to not making much on bake sales, was to have twice as many! I wanted to offer things that could cost 50 cents. I learned from the Milk Mafia that 50 cents was too good. And from the SLC at a previous school, I'd retained bake sales were hard work for no profits.

I stuck with it, but eventually let her run the show. To be fair, my idea's that didn't cost 50 cents, were very grandiose. I was really trying to generate profits though.

I also became a playground monitor to protect the little ones. It wasn't what I expected. Instead of citizens arrests, I was a snitch. I already learned the lesson on 'snitches that get stitches' but Mother Teresa wouldn't let me quit. I stood around, wasting recess most days. At least I got to hold a big red stop sign!

I only had two bullies in grade 8, so the boys convinced me to join Basketball. Sports didn't go well with clumsy, brainy Romeo. I didn't want to disappoint Calvin though. Friends were different than parents. I could pick my friends, and I could secretly pick my runny nose, but I couldn't pick when my friends and their noses might run out of my life.

Try-outs were a failure. I hadn't understood the concept of putting forward momentum in dribbling. I was much better dribbling over the ladies. I tried a lay up, but got lost in the follow through. I was probably travelling anyways. The rules seemed a lot like Monopoly's; applied at random. Little Romeo needed a lawyer in my life to navigate these rules, and perhaps the life ones.

I was glad when the humiliating try-outs were over. I was trying to %100 complete two video games: The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time, and Final Fantasy 7. My uncle had given me his PS One when he purchased a PS2. And I'd reasoned while I wasn't getting a surfing Pikachu back, I could still catch all 150 Pokemon. I'd complete all three by the end of grade 9.

I wasn't on the list so I congratulated the boys and went to leave. The coach piped up and said interest was so high, they made a B team. I shrugged and continued walking, reasoning they didn't have enough turnout for a Z team. Coach knew I was only joining for Calvin.

He stopped me on my way out and asked if I looked at the list. I'd made the B-side team but I shouldn't look down on that. I'd been part of the inspiration for a B team. They were going to need good leadership, a team captain. I rolled my eyes knowing I wasn't getting out of it. But it also turned out that being 7 feet tall didn't mean much if both feet were lefties. The Tall Boy was on the B side.

I tried instilling my role as leader. We'd run through plays during practice, but run around games like we were all Michael Jordan except without the shooting or lay up capabilities. I'd be angrily yelling to pass the ball. I wanted to quit so bad. To Mother Teresa, it seemed like I wanted to quit anything I joined. At that point, I really stuck it out for them, wanting them to have a proud sports moment of their boy.

We lost every game that season. We wondered what the point of going to the tournament was. We were so bad, other schools had started talking about us.

We walked in ready to lose as they informed the completely defeated team, would be going up against the undefeated team in the first round. We groaned, wondering why we got out of bed. The coach did what any completely defeated coach would, at least one with composure. He said it didn't matter that we hadn't won a single game, he was proud of us and the progress we'd made.

What did he have to be proud of?! We were a team of wildebeests out there! He told us just to have fun, not to worry about winning, the crowd, or the other team. I was growing livid. I thought that's what the wildebeests had been doing the entire season! I piped up, “Okay. We need to pass more. All I want to see is us pull off the one play we've rehearsed all season,” the coach having simplified things down to one play.

The miracle happened. We pulled off the double screen play and scored! I jumped up and down, I could finally rest in peace. Another miracle happened. I scored a basket and my parents went crazy. Soak it in, it won't happen again! I thought but scored six baskets and we knocked out the undefeated team out in round one! We cheered but most of the crowd wasn't happy.

They didn't think it was fair we hadn't won a single game but knocked out the team that won every game. I was mad at those parents. They obviously paid some attention. We'd just pulled off our first coordinated play and scored a goal! I mean... Basket...

Scene 12

Little Romeo wondered if I could hurt my bullies psychologically. I tried with fists, but I grew to never find a fair fight. They were fair, until someone underestimated my ability or boiling point. Now I'd become known as a hacker in the household, although I'd insist I wasn't.

When Mother Teresa could afford a PC, they put a password on it, but also put a hint: a type of constrictor. Google confirmed no hidden meanings so I got to work typing in the possible combinations for boa and python until I cracked it.

Curiosity often killed Romeo. I typed 'boobs' into google and hot damn! Free boobs everywhere! I shouldn't have been surprised, having been conned in Grade 2 to type something into the url and getting in trouble. That's how I found porn, but not how I got caught.

I was getting frisky one morning and left the PC on during school. Montague decided to come home for lunch and saw the spread I'd left up. Being a highly religious household, we had a talk. They asked how I hacked the computer. I was confused and told them they left me a hint! Montague asked why I'd left porn up in the first place. “I found a good one...” Little Romeo said. And that's how I got caught, but not how I gained the hacker title.

Computer privileges had become strict so I tried to install a keylogger on the computer. It recorded keyboard inputs and I figured the first ones would be the password. I couldn't get a clean install without admin privileges and my parents discovered it. I earned the title of hacker, and my parents assured me they knew how to use it. I was on my best behaviour - online.

The bullies played the same online game so I decided to hack them. I wrote down their security questions and played detective the next day. What information I couldn't gather from people I trusted, I ended up getting from buttered up bullies. One being so buttered, he smiled when I asked him about his mother's maiden name.

What ensued was a couple months of hacking wars. I'd successfully hacked them and naively assumed it was the end. They hacked me back. Instead of putting out fires, I'd find some diesel to throw on.

I was dealing with enough so I tried to reason with them; I was trying to teach them a lesson. They agreed and said I needed to learn one now. I decided if they had no account, they'd leave me alone. The next time I hacked them, I got their account temporarily banned.

They retaliated and I got a three day ban. Then I got them a seven day ban while betting on myself. I started this, so they'd get the harshest punishments first. Instead they skipped over that and broke every commandment in the game. I received a permanent ban of sorts. 11 years and 200 something days. I was done with Runescape. For now...

Scene 13

I got my first opportunity to lose my virginity during spring break. That sounded appropriate. I'd turn on the Girls Gone Wild promo whenever it was on.

The Tall Boy was dating a twin and I'd join along as another third wheel. If I brought entertainment, their relationship might last longer. Except her sister was trying to make a 4X4 and I wasn't interested.

During spring break, the Tall Boy wanted me to hang out. I would if he'd make it clear I wasn't looking to attach myself to the other third wheels axle. They were inviting a friend though. She was wild and had a couple things he knew Little Romeo would like, making coconuts with his hands and dancing around.

I met Aphrodite at MOP (Make-out Park), but it was filled with adults so we opted for a smaller park by the Tall Boys house. I was never good with body language, but Aphrodite made her intentions clear.

Little Romeo chased gently after her. She stopped and I grabbed her. We kissed before she pulled away and started running again, teasing. I grinned and accepted the challenge. The grass was wet and she slipped, rolling over laughing.

Gauging my distance and speed, I timed a slide and stopped right next to her. It landed perfectly and I put an arm around as I pressed my tiny frame against her body. We both laughed and her lip started to quiver. I went in. She broke away shortly after and asked if I was thinking about touching her boobs. I hadn't. Stumpy grew excited. I asked if I was allowed to.

She grabbed a weird, nerdy boys hand and stuck it right on one. My eyes almost fell out. We continued kissing and then my hands trailed south like I instinctively knew what I was doing. Not a dry spell.

The night came to an end but we made plans to meet up at 3 AM. I casually agreed, although I didn't believe 3 Grade 8 giggling girls and a Tall Boy were going to successfully sneak out of their parents house. I left Aphrodite with a kiss to leave her wanting more. I figured at the very least, she'd find a way out.

My alarm went off and I got dressed. I'd ensured they'd come to the front of the house where my bedroom was located and toss rocks at my window. The Tall Boy had been there plenty of times. After 30 minutes of waiting, I grew frustrated and tired, crawling back into bed.

I confronted him the following Monday. I could have lost my virginity! One less thing to worry about. Except they had thrown rocks. “At the front...?” I asked confused. But they'd thrown them in the back, at my parents window. I lost my crap on him.

Scene 14

I'd become very fast. The first year of Track and Field I'd begged Mother Teresa to write a note getting me out. By Grade 8, I couldn't wait for the running events, only seeing progress each year.

I wasn't good at triple jump, tripping over myself in the follow through. I couldn't do the air wurm in high jump, body slamming the bar instead. The shot-puts weighed about as much as I did. But running was something different.

I'd received second in long distance running the year prior and had eyes on gold for Grade 8. I just had one person to beat; Calvin, my best friend. The year prior, I'd bought energy drinks the sports guys were promoting. I didn't eat lunch, didn't drink water, and didn't pace myself. I got sick. I often learned the hard way, but I learned my lessons.

The long distance event started and I followed behind Calvin and another boy from our group. They seemed to forget what I had the year before; slow and steady might win the race.

We approached the final stretch as I started to give up hope. Their gas reserves seemed endless and although I tried to save mine, I seemed to be running out. They'd been exchanging first place, but Calvin pulled ahead one last time as the other boy fell back, soon behind me.

Now it was Calvin and I. Me and my best friend, racing down the track. He'd taught me so much and I loved him. He looked back and we were both smiling. I was soaking it all in with my movie-recorder brain. The first time that time truly slowed down as I soaked in every detail.

I wondered if he was thinking the same thing as Little Romeo was. Did he find it all weird? We'd made it this far together. A lonely boy sitting on a log, and an athletic boy who'd stuck up for me. We'd owned up Grade 8, had plans to rule high school, and were heading across the finish line together. One of us would get first and the other second.

I didn't care, only cared about Calvin. He was on track for a perfect record, a gold in each event. I wanted first place, and wanted him to get a perfect record. It was going to take a long time to understand that I couldn't have everything. He started to slow down in the final 50. Run Calvin, run!

I wouldn't have liked to win any way but fair and square. As soon as I thought about throwing the match for his perfect record, I reasoned it wasn't fair to Calvin; I ran harder for first. We only continued to laugh as I ran past and claimed gold. A beautiful memory. One of few from my early life.

I got first but wondered if Calvin had thrown the match for me instead. “No... You know I'm not good at long distance running. You deserved it man!” And I told myself I believed him, but a part of me always wondered. Had he secretly loved a Little Romeo enough to sacrifice his own perfect record?

I'd run like I was floating in water, legs flailing like egg-beaters. I was self-conscious as people would point things out I already knew. I didn't do good at the city-wide track meets, but enjoyed the day off school, meeting girls, and cheering on my buddies.

I was waiting on the sidelines for Calvin's next event when I looked over and noticed a beefy kid picking on someone I guessed to be two years younger. I politely went up and said that we were all here for a good time, there was no need for fighting.

He informed me that I should mind my own business, it was his cousin after all. That made less sense! He rested his palms against Little Romeo's chest. After a couple seconds, he thrust forward. A showing of how little force he'd have to use on this squirt. I reasoned that's what I got for sticking up for another kid.

Scene 15

Tiny Hannah had been born the year before. I wasn't thrilled to find out I'd get a little sister. I didn't know what to do with girls my own age, let alone a tiny girl. But I quickly grew affection for Microscopic Hannah growing inside Mother Teresa's belly. She grew from Micro, to Macro, till a cute Tiny Hannah was born. I'd rush home after school to see her.

Unlike Tiny Romeo who slept until 11 AM, Tiny Hannah cried through most nights. I noticed it wore down Mother Teresa. I couldn't understand why Montague wasn't getting up. I knew he worked, but he seemed to be missing a key bonding moment. Mother Teresa started crying from lack of sleep.

Tiny Hannah started to cry and I woke up having prepared myself. Usually I just rolled over. I didn't hear Mother Teresa get up, so I went to Tiny Hannah's room. “What's wrong baby girl? No need to cry, big brother's here,” I picked her up.

Mother Teresa got up but didn't send Little Romeo back to bed. I told her I wanted to rock Tiny Hannah back to sleep, and that she needed to get some herself. Mother Teresa handed me a bottle as an unbreakable bond was formed. I promised to never let anything bad happen to Tiny Hannah. I hadn't learned how hard promises could be to keep, and I had a hard time dealing with one I couldn't.

Scene 16

The end of Grade 8 approached but something entirely new had formed. I didn't want the year to end. I'd found stability, friends, and a place I fit in. I was getting good grades and unknowingly formed a routine. Mrs. K had been so amazing to Little Romeo, I reasoned that even if I was hot for teacher, I could never risk her job. I trusted my friends, but at least one of them was telling secrets outside of the group.

She'd say if we disagreed with any mark, we could try and justify it. I reclaimed tonnes of marks, got bonus ones, or would make her laugh at the very least with my clever approach and thinking. I'd cleaned my desk and that made me proud. I was curious what my marks were.

There was something called Honour Roll so she couldn't give me my marks, the awards were a surprise. I laughed and told her not to worry, I wasn't Honour Roll material, but I'd worked very hard and wanted to know if it was worth it. She conceded, made me promise to tell no one. All she could reveal was that I had over a 90% average. That had to mean straight A's, right?! I kept the promise and didn't even tell my parents.

Graduation didn't make sense. I retained lots of mantra's and one was, “nerds rule the world”. It certainly didn't seem like it back then. If that was true, I still had four more years of high school to contend with anyways. I also looked up the prerequisites for a Microbiology Degree. For a research position, I needed the whole enchilada; 8 years and a Masters Degree. I wasn't even half done!

I'd walked down the school halls and gazed upon pictures of previous graduates. It was finalized that our school would be shut down within the next two years. A school I'd grown to love. Unlike how my mother was able to visit her school, taking me for the showing at Pile O' Butts, I wasn't going to be able to come back in my adult life and visit this school.

A brain-reality played. The school was being demolished by a wrecking ball. I walked over the rubble once the dust cleared and found our grad photo's on top, unscathed. No one had bothered to take the photos down. I reasoned it was because no one actually cared except the kids in them.

I fought with my parents about going to the ceremony and had convinced the other boys it was stupid. Our parents had different ideas. I went with my Classic Look of Disdain, but no one else had gotten out of it so I cheered up.

I sat there while they announced the technical awards. They sounded official. I didn't receive anything and grew frustrated. Not even a 'Finally Cleaned his Damn Desk' award?

Then Mrs. K announced Honour Roll for anyone that got over a certain mark. I perked up, my parents would be impressed! She announced a list of kids but I didn't get called! I crossed my arms and sat there very angry. How could she lie to me?! After all we'd been through, and all the things I only dreamed we could have been through?! This whole charade was stupid!

Then she announced that three students had excelled above the rest. My ears piqued up, I could settle for third place. But that went to a buddy in our group! He never came out, saying he always had to study! I was doomed! 2nd and 1st would go to a group of girls in our class surely. I crossed my arms, angry again.

She started to announce the second highest and it didn't take long for me to pique up again. It was the language she used. A quirky boy that had put in so much extra effort that year, not only to help myself, but to help others. That not only was she proud, but so many other teachers that had watched me grow. I'd already gotten my hopes up a bunch already, so I thought Well, there's only one weird boy like that. But let's not jump the friggin' gun again.

I got called up for second highest on the honour roll with 95.3%. I couldn't believe it, straight A's. Even in social studies which I hated with a passion. I didn't understand how I'd gotten it done, I must have really been hot for teacher. I certainly couldn't be smart or something.

Everything seemed perfect, except unbeknownst to me, Montague and Mother Teresa were growing concerned with the amount of drugs in our area. I might have tried smoking, and drank a few times, but our group was convinced we never wanted to do drugs. My parents response was erratic, like most times, and the summer before high school, we started looking for property outside of the city again. In Pile O' Butts, mom's hometown - and where Juliet lived.