Peer Pressure & Today's Youth by Kelly Campbell - College of ...

Campbell 24
The orientation begins with “the rules” – All lies! #1. We are here to
help you! #2. You will have enough time to get to your classes between
bells. #3. The dress code will be enforced. #4. No smoking is allowed
on school grounds. #5. Our football team will win the championship.
#6. We expect more of you here. #7. Guidance counselors are always
available to listen. #8 Your schedule was created with your needs in
mind. #9. Your locker combination is private. #10. These will be the
years you will look back on most fondly.
Yeah, right! Fondly. NOT.
I didn’t want high school to start out this way – it just sort of
happened. I’m not used to failing classes. I don’t skip school. I talk. I
have friends.
Not any more.
It all started at that end-of-the-summer party. Big deal, that party.
Rachel and I were pretty excited about going to a high school party.
Now, they all blame me – they blame me for calling the cops and closing
down the party. Even Rachel hates me.
I am an outcast.
No one knows the truth about that night. No one CARES to know the
truth. I don’t know the truth - can’t face the truth, anyway.
So, I get a brilliant idea … if they won’t talk to me, then I won’t talk to
them! I’ll just retreat. Yes, I’ll retreat into that old janitor’s closet I
found on Senior Hall. No one will find me there. The closet is
abandoned – it has no purpose, no name…. Perfect, for me. There, I can
think.
Problem is, I don’t want to think. I fainted in biology class the other
day and hit my head on the table. I was really worried… Worried when
the doctor looked into the back of my eyes with a bright light. Could