Just Don’t Screw it Up

Jake's POV

The morning light slanted through the grimy window of my room, casting long shadows across the floor. I squinted against the brightness, rolling over to check the time on my phone. It was 6:30 a.m.

The reality of the day ahead smacked me in the face. Senior year. The last lap of this high school marathon. I should have felt excited, but all I felt was a dull ache in my chest, an anxiety that settled like an unwelcome guest. 

I swung my legs out of bed, my feet hitting the cold wooden floor. It creaked beneath my weight, a familiar sound that had become part of the soundtrack of my life.

 The air in the room was stale, mixed with the scent of old sweat and something else I couldn’t quite place. I looked around at the chaos.

Clothes strewn everywhere, empty soda cans piled up, and the remnants of last night’s dinner on the desk. My bedroom mirrored my life disordered and neglected.

As I got up to face the day, I caught a glimpse of myself in the cracked mirror. My dark hair was tousled, and my blue eyes looked tired, weighed down by something that had nothing to do with lack of sleep. 

I ran a hand through my hair, pushing it back as I stared at the boy looking back at me. A bad boy, they called me. The rebel without a cause, the kid everyone wanted to avoid. But I was just Jake, the one left behind when my mom passed away. 

I pulled on my favorite leather jacket, the one that had seen me through countless fights and heartbreaks. It fits like a second skin.

 I glanced at the scars tattooed on my arms, a reminder of the battles I had fought. Each one told a story, but none were as painful as the one I carried in my heart. 

With a sigh, I made my way to the kitchen, the linoleum floor cool beneath my feet. The house was eerily quiet, too quiet. I knew what that meant.

 My dad was probably still passed out on the couch, nursing the remnants of last night’s binge. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation that was all too familiar.

As I entered the living room, my stomach twisted. There he was, slumped over, an empty bottle of whiskey clutched in his hand. 

His graying hair was unkempt, and a patchy beard covered his face like a reminder of the man he used to be before Mom. I hated him for what he had become, but a twisted part of me still longed for the father I had lost when she died. 

“Jake,” he mumbled, stirring slightly. His eyes barely opened, but I could see the bloodshot glaze that told me he was still drunk. “Are you going to school today?”

“Yeah,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. I didn’t want to provoke him. “It’s the first day of senior year.”

“Right.” He blinked, attempting to focus on me. “Just don’t screw it up like you did last year.”

I felt the anger boiling beneath my skin, but I kept it hidden. It wasn’t worth the fight. “I won’t,” I said, grabbing a piece of toast from the counter. I ate it quickly, the taste dry and unfulfilling. 

“Make sure to stay away from those losers you hang out with,” he muttered, slumping back into the couch. The scent of stale alcohol wafted toward me, and I fought the urge to gag. “You don’t want to end up like them.”

“Yeah, sure,” I replied, my voice flat. I didn’t want to engage; it only led to more fights, more words thrown like daggers. I picked up my backpack, slinging it over my shoulder. 

“Whatever,” he grumbled, closing his eyes again. I stepped outside, the front door creaking as I left that suffocating space behind. 

The crisp morning air hit me like a splash of cold water, and for a moment, I felt alive. The sun was bright, the sky a brilliant blue.

The scent of fresh cut grass wafted through the neighborhood. It was almost enough to drown out the darkness that clung to my soul. 

As I walked to school, I passed a few familiar faces, some nodding in my direction, others whispering to each other. I was used to it the way people looked at me like I was a ticking time bomb. I didn’t care. I had my own battles to fight, and the opinions of others didn’t register. 

The school loomed ahead, a brick fortress filled with cliques and gossip. I stepped through the doors, the chaos of the first day enveloped me like a wave. 

Students rushed past, laughing, shouting, and reconnecting after the summer break. I felt like an outsider in my own skin, moving through the throng with a practiced detachment. 

I made my way through the crowded hall, dodging the throngs of students who seemed to glide effortlessly through their social worlds.

 I kept my head down, pretending not to notice the whispers that followed me. “There goes Jake Thomas,” I could hear snippets of conversation, the tone dripping with judgment. “The bad boy.” “He’s trouble.” 

But trouble was all I knew. 

I reached my locker, the metal cool against my palm as I slammed it open. I rummaged through my books, feeling the weight of expectations pressing down on me. 

Senior year was supposed to be about making memories, planning for the future, but for me, it felt like a countdown to an inevitable confrontation with the reality of my life. 

“Hey, Jake!” A voice broke through my thoughts. It was Nick, my closest friend, his messy hair sticking up in every direction, giving him an endearing, boyish charm. 

“You ready for this year?” He grinned, the kind of smile that could light up a room.

“Yeah, sure,” I replied, forcing a semblance of enthusiasm. “Just trying to survive, you know?”

He laughed, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. “You okay? You look like you haven’t slept in days.”

I shrugged, trying to brush it off. “Just the usual.” I didn’t want to burden him with my reality. Nick had his own struggles, and I didn’t want to drag him down into my mess.