The First Step: Beginnings

My mom always used to say: 

"Whatever may happen on your great journey to adulthood, every step you take will be a necessary one to eventually climb that unscalable mountain in front of you."

Pretty long thing to say regularly, right?
It was on my birthday card right on top of my present everytime.
As a kid, I discarded it as boring adult stuff...which it is!
I mean what evolutionized infant wants that kind of preach on top of their unwrapped spongebob game?

But, who knew I would come to terms with this philosophy as a way of life?

She'd often add a "But make sure you enjoy every single moment and step, remember:

"It's a marathon, not a sprint", smirking, just for good measure...or to sound smarter than she was.
Oh, I guess I shouldn't badmouth the passed, well nothing she can do about it.
Not that she would care too much about me saying that.
She'd always smile whenever I talked or complained about her...
because it would show that I at least somewhat cared about her and what she did or said...
Well, that aside I think she'd still scold me for the statement.

But where was I...?
Ah, right. Silly me.
I was actually about to tell you something about the past, not the present.
But...I don't think I care about that anymore.
Right now I really should...

"GET READY FOR SCHOOL, ZACK!!"

"I CAN HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR, MOM!"

Sheesh, she should really learn to control hear volume. She's always been like this.
Huff... better get ready to school or she'll annoy the hell out of me.
Not that I'd want to keep it in myself or that there is a hell inside of me or anything...
And side note, I'm not religious or anything, that was just a joke.

Great, now that that's out of the way...
I guess I'll just take whatever clothes lie on top of that giant "unscalable mountain" of clothing mom always tells me to get rid of.
Nothing I can do about i-
...well...nevermind.
I"ll clean it up soon as I'm done, uh, living or somethin'.

As I take a quick look in the mirror I quickly realize once again, that despite everything...
At least I'm super handsome!
...at least that's what my mom tells me...
Now that I think about, I don't want to think about it.
Torn between washing and getting rid of my god awful bed hair and saying
"Fuck it, I don't care how I look in school", I step into the bathroom to at least brush my teeth like a normal person, before going to school.

Oh, and it's monday by the way.
Probabaly why I woke up late and will probably be late to school.
Well, maybe that's just everyday and I'm lying to you.
But you couldn't know that...right?

For all we know I could've been lying to you up until now and could continue doing so without you ever finding out.
Wouldn't that be an exiting change of pace?
Yeah, you're right.
It wouldn't. 

Anyways, where was I...

"ZACK, YOU WANT YOUR LUNCHBAG NOW OR WHAT?!"

I remember now, "late".

"I'LL GET IT AS SOON I'M READY.
ALSO YOU CAN STOP SCREAMING.
LIKE I SAID, 'LOUD AND CLEAR'."

I don't know why I go through this literally everyday, must be insane.

"BUT THEN YOU'RE SHOUTING TOO, HUN. NOW GET YOUR LUNCHBAG AND HAVE FUN AT SCHOOL. LOVE YOU!"

God, damn it. Side note: Still not religious.
It doesn't have to be every day like this with her, now does it?
No, don't you answer that, I know for sure I wouldn't want to hear that.

"OKAY, MOM. FIRST, I'M SHOUTING TO MAKE FUN OF YOU. SECOND, YOU CAN CHOOSE BETWEEN ME HAVING FUN AT SCHOOL OR GRABBING MY LUNCHBAG. THIRD, LOVE YOU TOO."

Yes. Every day.
I know it's already annoying and cringeworthy enough to go through that one time.
But trust me just this once when I say, I really couldn't care less about it at this point.

Out the door I make sure I got everything in place, that I might need.
Wallet: check
Keys: check
Bag and Lunchbox: double check

Hold on, might also want to take a quick peek at my lunch real quick, as I've always been a curious person.
And to nobody's surprise...

"IT'S GOOD! I mean it looks good, but I can almost taste it through my eyeballs and they're drooling over it."

Wait, just morning tears, man, I should really start gettin' ready for pumpin'!
...
I do occassionally try to sound a bit more ganster than I would ever be allowed to be.
But that aside...
I'M REALLY GONNA MISS MY BUUUUS!

...huff...huff...and one just for good measures, huff...
I didn't quite catch the bus. In truth, I missed it. Completely. I arrived 5 minutes late at the station, because I didn't check the time.
Could have saved me those three "huffs" for whenever...what a waste.

Well, might as well call one of my friends, who's on the bus I just missed...or missed by a 1609,34 meters.
Yeah, you heard that right. I'm not an avid fan of the 'Imperial System'. Might have called it stupid whenever the clock ticked, from time to time, here and there.
I mean. It's just...weird. I honestly don't know what else to call it.
And it's a warning to all of you too.
I wouldn't trust anyone, who uses 'barrels' as a scientific way to measure anything at all.

So, I was just about to call my friend.
"Beep. Beep."

Always wondered, if you could change that tone it makes to signal, that your call is going through.
Something new to google when I get bored, I guess. I already got some hilarious ideas for a replacement.
Not that I was going to share it with you, it's my glorious idea after all.

'clack' - just the sound it makes when someone picks up the phone.

"Hey dude, you're gonna be late again. To Mrs. Raw, no less"

"Yeah, she's been pretty heated about that lately. Guess you could say she became Mrs. Cooked for me lately, ey?"

"Yeeeah, not that funny, dude"

"Know that. Well, just wanted to say I'm late, nothing I can do about it."

"Uh, duh. Yeah you can."

"Uh, duh. Not if I want to lay in bed till 7"

"Yeeesh, that's what I was talkin' 'bout. Tell ya what. If you manage to be in time just once this week. I'll make sure you get a chance with Zoe. How does that sound to ya. Makes my boi exited or whaaaa-?"

"I've never heard someone sound so 'old and young' and 'black and white' at the same time. A chance at what you say?"

"Fuck her-"

WHAT?!

"Pfuuu-! WHAT?!"
Just like I thought

"Dude, I'm telling you, you're the only one, who hasn't plowed her. Be a man already, she's on the hunt to take all of them virginities. She would hang yours as a trophy on her 'Hall of Shames' fo' sho!"

"I really don't like the way this conversation is going."
Please hang up. I'm utterly begging you. I'd get down on the floor, beg in japanese style, if you were in front of me.

"Take it easy man. I know you're guarding your first time better than your lunch money. Well, if you had some. Not that anyone would want either of those"

"Yeah, real funny. Bye-"

"Wait wait!"

Huff, okay. what now

"Sorry, let's hang at 'Four Boys' after school, k? Eat some good."

"I-

"K. Roger that. Smell ya later. Not really, but you know what I mean"

'Deup', - the sound when someone hangs up the phone.

Great. I was going to say, that today wasn't good timing, since I am supposed to do a lot of stuff around the house before my mom gets home from work.
Whatever, I would've come along anyways.

Oh, finally. The bus. A saving grace to-
Oh right. I'm still late to Mrs. Raw. Hope she doesn't get too "Raw" with me, because I like "Smackdown" better...

hold up, maybe that's not better. A wresting reference by the way.

I decide to sit in the back of the bus, that way I could see everyone and wouldn't get the feeling of being watched.
Something I never liked and probably won't ever get used to.
So just to feel confortable I tend to position myself in corners and backsides wherever I am.
Be it at a party or even at home when I'm all alone in the house.

Although, that might be where it's most important, you never know when some supernatural monster surprises you.
And when it happens you bet you would want that good positioning.
Though it probably wouldn't make any difference given it really is a supernatural monster intending to harm you.
Then again, maybe it just wants some gum. I mean, everyone wants gum.
Whether they like it or not, something easy and tasty to chew on to keep some of your muscles and senses busy is a great invention.
Even has scientifically proven perks.

But I'm going off topic again.
The ride wasn't too bad.
I get off the bus.
Maybe I'm getting used to-
Nope, still feeling dizzy enough to puke any second.
But no seconds to waste, as I'm already...15 MINUTES LATE?!
Oh boy, she's gonna kill me for sure.

I thought it would be just another school day for me.
But on that day. A fated encouter.
I met her.

Her, who would turn my boring world upside down.
And I would fall for her. Loving her with every fiber of my being.
She'd break my rock that has kept me from being myself and being free.
And despite everything I would eventually do for her, I wouldn't be able to thank her enough in one lifetime.

That's why I chose two.

Chapter 1: End