Where Have All the Lifesavers Gone?

“I hate my life. I wish it wasn’t so screwed up,” I said while I was walking to my bus stop. Hi. My name is Colleen. I just had a terrible day. I had 3 pop quizzes. I’m sure that I failed all of them. Since I’m a straight A student my parents are going to bug me about it and say, “ Oh my. No more TV for you. You need to study more.” I wish I had somebody to talk to. I can’t talk to any of my friends. They criticize me to much and never take anything seriously. Wish I could do that, but I’m too damn sensitive.

“ Hey, how are you? I know you just moved here a couple of months ago but I just wanted to introduce myself and say hi. My name is Shelly. What’s yours? ”

“ Oh, um my name is Colleen”

I didn’t realize I was on the bus already. I put my token in the coin slot and preceded to move towards the back. She had a real bubbly high-pitched voice. I walked to an empty seat in the back, as she took the seat across from me. She was white, had long blonde hair, but her roots were black. Kinda big , round face. She had nice facial features blue eyes however her skin was kinda pale looking. Small thin lips and a small nose. Looked like she was very young as if she could be in 5th grade. I was in 9th.

“ Sooo, Colleen. I saw you a couple of times. I’ve seen you walking down the hallway during my lunch period. I’ve seen you walking around the neighborhood too. I live like...... a couple streets down from you. So how do you like Philly so far?. Make any friends yet? ”

Thank goodness my stop was coming up. She was getting on last nerve. How did she find out who I was anyway? Does she just go up to strangers and ask all these stupid questions.

“Well gotta go!,” I said mocking her. When I got off the bus she actually smiled at me! Some people just don’t catch on..

I finally reached the front door of my house and opened it, I actually saw my brother who supposed to be studying at college. He goes to Stanford and is Mr. Perfect. Man how I hate his guts. He’s the reason why I have to get good grades because if I don’t my parents will get on my case. I don’t really hate him. Sometimes he just gets on my nerves.

“ Hey Colleen I missed you,” he said as he gave me a huge hug. Sure, he really misses me. But I secretly missed him too. But I would never tell him that.

“ Hi, Brett the Brat ! ”, I said as I smiled and hugged him back. “ So, is Mom home ? ” , I asked.

“ Yeah. She’s in the kitchen ”

Brett had everything. He had good grades, and girls loved him.. Even some of my friends have a crush on him. They think he’s cute. Brett is around six feet tall, a beautiful dark chocolate complexation (like myself), and a musclar build. Even though some of his friends tease him for being a “pretty boy” they still respect him. That’ll be the day when someome hates my brother.

I proceded into the house and threw my stuff into the closet Brett followed me into the kitchen. I yelled a quick “ Hi, Mom ” and without letting her say a word ( she can talk for a really, really long time ). I went into the family room to watch some television. Brett sat down next to me. It looked like he wanted to talk. I hoped he didn’t because at that point I didn’t fully recover from my terrible day.

“ Hey, Colleen I’m glad to see your doing well, ” he said. I just mumbled my usual “ ah huh ” and went on watching TV. Then the phone rang I said I’d get it. When I answered the phone it was Dad. I mumbled a small “hi”. I was disappointed. I was hoping it was one of my friends. Particularly this guy at school that I really liked. We’re friends, but I’ve fallen for him pretty hard. I did not need to talk to my father in my current state. It was basically a one-sided conversation. I added a couple of ‘okays’ and ‘sures’. He called to say he’d be home late, AGAIN. And said something about something. I wasn’t paying attention. I really love the cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants (that was what I was really paying attention to). When I hung up, Brett asked who called. I gave him the news. He just said oh. I walked to the kitchen. It was right next to the family room, so I did my best to keep an eye on the TV.

“ Mom, Dad’s going to be late getting home again.”

“Really. He’s been late almost everyday this week.” To my surprise, mom sounded worried. Well, I guess I should be too. He comes in later every night. I wonder what’s up?

“ Thank you dear.” sighed Mom. I shrugged my shoulders, and returned to my favorite show. Brett, wasn’t in the room when I walked back in. I didn’t really care. When it was over, I went to my room. Bored to death, I went on the internet. Would you know as soon as I started talking to my friend through an instant message, I was then interuppted. It was dinner.

Afterwards I still hadn’t started my homework. At that point I didn’t care. I’d just complete it at lunch. I went back to my room. Still bored as I always am, yet with plently to do. So I stood in front of my mirror. Suddenly disappointed by what I wore today. Some old jeans, T-shirt, and crummy sneakers. I need to go shopping or wash my clothes. Whichever comes first.