A Happy Life

By Bailey West

A Happy Life lossely portrays the author's personal experience with depression, self harm, substance abuse, and the overall lifestyle of a criminal trying to achieve happiness in any way, shape, or form. After devastating events, Bailey finds himself in a downward spiral with life, leaving him in despair

• Language: English
• Publisher: Deprest Publishing
• Release date: Dec 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781087912455

Book preview

I was your typical everyday teen. Sophomore in high school, hated most people, disguised depression with humor and a bit of a stoner. I didn’t know it then but today was the day that I believe caused a continuous downward spiral and had changed my life forever.

1

Bailey! I hear my friend call.

Hey, hey, what’s up, Trevor? I say with discomfort.

Not much can be said about Trevor, for one. I wouldn’t say I liked this dude. Never in class, definite anger issues, and only cares about getting high, he was clearly heading down a dark road, but so was I.

wanna skip first period and go to the park? Trevor asked, I got some bud.

He was opening his backpack to show me the baggy full of weed.

Dude, put that shit away before someone sees.

tch’’ clicking his tongue annoyed, whatever, you in or not."

Making our way through the school parking lot and across the street, I had no idea this would be the last time I ever looked at that building again. After a downhill walk of about 15 minutes, we arrive at the children’s playground. Loading the first bowl of marijuana into Trevor’s makeshift pipe made out of aluminum foil, he had realized he had forgotten an essential item when it comes to smoking.

Bailey, lemme use your lighter.

Uh, I don’t get one, I replied.

Ight let’s go to the gas station and get one, Trevor suggested.

Once at the gas station, I had approached the front counter, grabbing one of the lighters of its stand.

This all for ya, the cashier asked. Yeah, that’ll be it, I said.

Okay, that’ll be 2.95. Just let me see your I.D.

Panicking, I tried to persuade the clerk.

Listen, I’m only fifteen. My dad sent me over here to get him one for the BBQ we’re having later.

‘i think that’ll work,’ i thought.

Unsuccessful with my persuasion, the cashier replied

I’d love to help ya out, bud, but no I.D no lighter, its policy.

Thinking back, I should have just stolen the lighter and booked it out of the store. Instead, I sulked my way out empty-handed, meeting back up with Trevor, who was waiting for me outside.

Did ya get it’’ Trevor asked eagerly, Nah, the cashier was being a dick about me not havin’ an I.D.’’ I responded.

Fuck!

‘Oh boy, here it comes,’ i thought to myself.

Welp, let’s just go back, I guess, ok.

It was weird. I have never seen Trevor so calm when not high. He’s probably going to get a lighter from someone at school and ditch the next period.

On our way back up the hill to school, we stop to rest for a moment right across the street from the parking lot, seeing other kids just now pulling up into their parking spaces, some being dropped off, some driving themselves, a sense of dread washing over me with two simple yet terrifying noises.

‘WHOOP WHOOP’

the truancy officer had just pulled up in front of Trevor and i.

what are you boys doing over here? Shouldn’t you be getting to class? the older African American truancy officer woman said.

Yes, ma’am, my mom just dropped us off, I replied, feeling confident with my excuse, praying she doesn’t pull some bullshit and get us in trouble.

I want to believe you, sweetie but with the times as they are now and well, to be honest, this school is not the best with drugs and such, I’m going to have to escort you two into the office to be searched.

‘Fuck!’ this is not good. Trevor is smarter than he looks though right, he’ll ditch the pot somewhere as we walk up to the school’s front doors. The truancy officer has to go and park upfront. Trevor hands me the makeshift pipe to dispose of while he, Eats the weed!

‘Um, okay, that’s one way to get rid of it,’

that was humorous, but the rest of the situation definitely was not. The aluminum foil pipe now crumpled into a little ball in my pocket. I felt relieved, believing we were in the clear.

Meeting the truancy officer at the building’s main door, I feel quite good about the situation, thinking I wouldn’t get in any trouble. Now entering into the principal’s office, I was met with one of the on-site security guards that linger within the school during the days. My backpack being practically ripped-off of my shoulders by the security guard, searching it in and out. He seems unsatisfied when he finds nothing but everyday school utensils. Looking to my left, I can see that Trevor is getting the same treatment as well; however, the security guard searching him also finds nothing. Not able to contain a little laugh, remembering when Trevor ate the whole bag of weed he had on him.

what’s so funny, the guard who just finished searching my backpack asks, in a rather grumbly, failing to be intimidating voice asks. Still chuckling

Nothing, I say.

yeah, I know you boys’ type, the skipping school and Smokin dope Where do you think this shits going to get you, huh? Going to grow up to be a bunch of losers," the now agitated guard spouts.

Man sounds like you need to get high, Trevor exclaims.

He and I laugh hysterically until the angered guard booms, TURN OUT YOUR POCKETS, NOW!.

Trevor goes first, pulling out nothing whatsoever. I take out my phone, wallet, and a little crumpled