Chapter 1: Part 1

"Justin, gising na." Those were the first words I had to wake up to on the first day of high school. I was but fourteen years old... "It's time for school."

I made my way into the shower. It was like sleep cloaked over me, it was only 5:37 in the morning. I always had to wake up so early in this home. It was thirty minutes away from school, and class normally started at 7:45.

I wasn't feeling so well that day. You can guess what happened. Good thing it was orientation day.

As I stepped into the classroom the following week (I was gone that long), I didn't know what to expect. I only remembered the beating of drums during the play we watched... Every beat sent a wave of pain through my head. It was like it was going to blow up.

I could recognize familiar faces, elementary classmates. I remember some guys, long-time friends that had followed me into the same high school. It was time to meet my teachers. They all seemed nice at first. Then the school officials, well, they were strict, they needed to be.

Fast forward... I was excited to get on with the school year. New-found friends, a few older friends of mine, upperclassmen that were willing to guide me, a more than pretty teacher, what else could I ask for? I've had the school year, at least the beginning on track. That was until the first soiree I'd ever go to. I'll get to that soon enough.