The "Worst" Best Years Of My Life: Freshman: The "Worst" Best Years

By Chuck Davis

I had the perfect plan for my first day of high school…too bad I overslept.

 

Even with that setback I strolled into my freshman year with my best friend Kathryn with a plan to make a splash and win my crush. I ended the day making a different kind of splash than I wanted and with my own Rogues gallery of villains. Actions on day one will lead to a battle of wits and wills spanning the entirety of my freshman year.

At home I have my overworked and supportive mother balanced out by my bitter and resentful stepfather. Is there a day that goes by I don't peak his anger?

Elizabeth is the crush I've been after for a year. Winning her affection won't be easy but I have a plan. But is it truly her affection I want or is she a stand in for someone else?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chuck Davis
• Release date: Aug 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223326335

Book preview

Prologue

Ah, it was the final day of summer vacation in 1993. Jurassic Park had smashed all box office records, MTV was still primarily music, and I, Franklin Richards, was bursting with excitement for the first day of high school. It was the time for reinvention. In high school, you could start over and be whatever you want to be. I mean, after all, weren't they the best years of a person’s life? Weren't those the joyful days we reminisced about as we got older? I decided to transform it into reality. I decided to make these the best years of my life. It was the reason I laid down that night with optimism in my heart and a full-fledged plan in my head. But I'm sure you've heard what people say about the best laid plans and reality derailed mine and it got transformed into the worst first day ever.

Chapter 1

Freshman Year:

Get your ugly fat ass outta bed or you’re gonna miss the bus!

That’s how my high school career started. To be completely honest, it was how every morning started for the past few years. That was my stepfather’s way of waking me up and getting me going. Earlier, it didn’t bother me. However, I was determined not to start high school as a fat person. I graduated from middle school while weighing two hundred and twenty-five pounds, so I tried to lose as much weight as possible during the summer. I biked for about ten miles a day and changed my diet. Earlier, I used to eat calories enough for an entire day in a meal. Now I held myself to a strict twenty-two hundred calories per day. Making those changes resulted in me losing sixty pounds till the first day of school. However, I could still be considered a fat person. Regardless it was going to be my year and would be a great one.

Eugene, my stepfather, was right. I blinked my eyes to clear the blur and realized only twenty minutes were left before the arrival of the bus. I got off my bed and bolted towards the shower and forgot to grab my clothes. I rummaged through the cluttered countertop, found the air freshener, and spritzed it around. I raced through my shower. I got out, dried myself, and combed my hair. Throughout the summer, I kept on trying different hairstyles. I tried the faux hawk, slicked back, and spiked up. In the end, I settled on a simple comb to the left for my light brown hair. I picked up my toothbrush and searched around the countertop for the toothpaste. I gave my teeth and tongue a good scrubbing, rinsed my mouth, and washed the bit of remaining toothpaste off my lips. I went out of the bathroom, about to slip on my wet feet. Luckily, the support of the wall saved me from falling.

Dontcha knock the damn wall over, tubby, Eugene called from the living room.

In my room, I took my first-day outfit out of the closet. I'd chosen black denim shorts held up with a black braided belt. My shirt was a dark blue collared polo shirt. I placed them on the bed and ransacked my dresser, searching for underwear but didn’t find it.

Oh, crap!

It was not a part of the plan. I always have a plan. The one thing you must know before we go any further is I always plan everything. It might not always be a good plan, but there is always a plan.

What’s the damn problem? yelled Eugene.

I don’t have any underwear, I replied.

"Your mom washed clothes last night. There must be some there.

With the towel wrapped around my waist, I ran down towards the hall. I darted between the china cabinet and the counter, my elbow touching the pizza box placed on the counter. I slipped as I tried to grab the doorknob of the laundry room door. I forced the door back against the mound of dirty laundry and went inside. I threw open the dryer and found it empty. . Friggin’ Empty!

I looked over and got filled with dread. I knew if my mom had washed the clothes; they would most likely still be in the washing machine. I slowly reached over; my hand trembling as I grasped the lid. I opened it to find the clothes still there.

They’re still in the washer, I shouted, slamming the lid shut.

Guess she didn’t put them in the dryer before going to work.

My mom worked for a textile plant that required its employees to rotate shifts. This week she was on third and came back home after I had gone to school. I immediately began berating myself for not checking the washing machine before going to bed last night. Then my anger flowed over to Eugene. In a fit of rage, I asked one of the dumbest questions which could ever be asked.

Why didn’t you put them in the dryer? I asked him as I walked past the living room.

Because it’s woman’s work, smartass, Eugene answered.

Ok. No problem. I wore my shorts, grabbed my belt, and synched it tight. I needed to survive the next nine hours without any underwear. It was not a problem for me as no one was going to check whether I was wearing any or not. Abruptly, the plan was changed. I pulled my shirt over my head, checked my hair, and applied a little cologne. I snatched my bag from beside the bedroom door and sprinted down the hall, and got hurt by the cabinet and the counter once again.

Watch where you're going, Jaba, Eugene yelled.

I went outside into the atmosphere of extreme heat and humidity on that August morning. Coming out from the freezing temperatures Eugene kept the house during the summer months, the outdoors felt similar to walking into a rainforest. I could feel the sweat forming on my brow before I reached the end of the driveway.

The bus stop was about a mile from my house. I jogged the distance while hoping against hope to not miss the bus. I heard the dog from the house at the end of the road barking at me, but we’ll get to him later. I was a little more than halfway through the distance when I felt my shirt clinging to my back due to sweat. Reaching school while drenched with sweat was also not part of the plan. The plan changed once again when I saw the school bus rolling by without slowing down.

Son of a bitch, I muttered and stopped dead in my tracks.

Ok. No problem. If the bus followed the same route as the past seven years, I had another chance to catch it. I only had two options. I could try to catch the bus from another location or go back home and ask Eugene for a ride. He could take me to school; however, I’ll be beaten first. Decisions… Decisions. I placed my bag pack on my shoulders and took off. I went through the Miller’s yard and dodged all the land mines. From there I went into the woods and ran behind the Elm Grove Cemetery. I felt my shorts sliding down. My hands snapped, grabbed the waistband, and I pulled them up as much as possible. I came out into the clearing and saw all the underground vaults. A cold chill ran down my spine. I paused briefly to catch my breath and continued to venture into the woods. I was walking fast enough. It occured to me that a year ago I wouldn't have been able to do so a year ago when I was in bad shape. It reaffirmed to me about being on the right track. Then, as if to keep me grounded, I got smacked in the face by a branch, lost my footing, and fell on my face into a pile of brush on the forest floor. The impact stung and knocked the air out of me. Get up Franklin, I told myself. Get Up! Without having time to nurse my wounds, I jumped back to my feet and took off. I went out of the woods towards Cunningham Mill Road. I looked towards my right while picking a twig stuck in my hair. The kids were still waiting for the bus to arrive there.

Awesome, I said to myself while walking toward them.

There was a plan, and it was a damn good one. The plan got changed drastically as the plan was:

1. Wake up on time.

2. Get dressed in a cool, casual outfit (complete with underwear)

3. Catch the bus

4. Bust into Wilson County High School as if I owned the place

5. Project me as the entertaining alpha male

6. Ask Elizabeth Braddock out before the day is over

It might have gotten off to a rocky start, but it was about to be back on track I stepped foot on the bus. I couldn’t recognize any of the kids as I went to the bus stop. It didn’t matter as we would only be in each other’s company till the bus arrived. Some of the children glanced curiously at me but did not speak a word. I brushed the leaves and dirt off my pants which were still clinging to my body. The bus finally pulled up, and we boarded it. This was the third bus boarded by me during my entire school career and all of them smelled the same. All of them were filled with the aromas of leather, lemon polish, and window cleaner. I boarded the bus with a smile on my face as the plan was back on track.

Since our stop was one of the first few ones, we could sit wherever we wanted to on the bus. Now I wanted to portray myself as being one of the cool kids, but I wasn’t dumb enough to sit at the back of the bus. I sat on a comfortable seat in the middle. I leaned back against the window and stretched my body out with my feet hanging over the edge. I placed my bag on the seat in front of me as I needed to save a seat for Kathryn.

Chapter 2

Kathryn Grant and I were friends since she moved to our town in the fourth grade. Ok, maybe not since the first day itself. Let’s just say our friendship got off to a kind of rocky start. As I am writing this, I realize I had a couple of rocky starts in my life. When Kathryn came into the class on the first day, there was something different about her. I decided at that moment I wanted to be friends with her. I wasn’t what could be called a popular kid. Other kids treated me as if I should be locked away in a leper colony. Before Kathryn’s arrival, the closest I came to talking to someone was when they were forced to sit beside me during lunch. After lunch, all of us went outside to sit beside the basketball court. I left the cafeteria and saw Kathryn standing alone. She seemed to be trying to find a place to fit in. . I can help her, I thought. She could hang out with me. I just had to go and talk to her. I extended my arm and touched her shoulder. Suddenly, she turned around rapidly and kicked me in the crotch. I doubled over in pain. After a few seconds of coughing and trying to hold back tears; I collapsed on the ground and got into a fetal position. She ran back inside, leaving me on the ground. In a true representation of Franklin Richards' luck, everyone had seen this happening. So I laid there with tears in my eyes while a group of people standing nearby roared with laughter. A teacher came out to see what all the commotion was about. She helped me back to the classroom, and I sat there with my head on my desk.

I’m sorry, someone spoke from a few steps away. Are you okay?

I lifted my eyes and saw Kathryn.

Just peachy, I squeaked out.

Then, she left me alone. We’d come a long way since the first day. Now she is my best friend.

The bus pulled up at her stop, and I was feeling giddy with excitement. We had hardly seen each other during the summer and I missed my friend. Kathryn stepped on the bus all rational thoughts left my mind. The summer had been kind to her. I had noticed her body developing, but it was not something you would talk to your best friend about. How would you even have such a conversation?

So Kathryn, it looks as if it’s time to move up from your old training bra.

Listen, I never said I was a genius, but I know you don’t talk about such things. Besides, she is still my best friend, and one should not think about one’s friends in such a manner. She waved at me and smiled as she walked down the bus between the seats. Her hair seemed longer. Her blonde hair touched her shoulders. I like it long; I thought.

So how is the master plan going? she asked while sitting on the seat saved by him. There were a few bumps, but it’s still on track, I answered while looking into her light green eyes.

So how are you planning on asking Elizabeth out? There is one part of the plan I am still unsure about.

You'll have to wait and see like everyone else.

Truth was, there was no plan. I did not know how to win the affection of Elizabeth Braddock. There was a plan, but not a detailed one.

Chapter 3

I had first noticed Elizabeth when I had just reached puberty. She entered the classroom in her cheerleading outfit and I was gobsmacked by her beauty. I spent the rest of the class hoping to not get called to write on the board. Afterward, I became obsessed with her. I know that doesn’t sound good, but I was not her stalker. Now you are probably wondering why I didn’t ask her out. Let’s talk about the reason, shall we? Did you ever walk up to your crush and ask them out? If so, congratulations, you are stronger than me. Other than my fear of rejection, my class was also an obstacle between us. I didn’t fit in any group as I wasn’t a prep, a jock, a redneck, brain, or something similar to them. I was an island unto myself. Kathryn was on the other end of the spectrum and could fit in anywhere. She was a social butterfly. She was the one who introduced me to Elizabeth. I did a king dork move and high-fived Elizabeth. Though our hands touched only for a second, I loved the silky feel of her skin. I maintained eye contact for longer than necessary and the moment turned creepy. I couldn’t help it as I got lost in her eyes.

I pushed the strands of her black hair away from her eyes. I stepped in closer to her and my hand slid to her neck. I helped her tilt her head. We were face-to-face. I leaned in and felt her breath on my skin. Our lips touched and there was an explosion. When our lips parted, she confessed she was waiting for me to make a move.

A swift slap at the back of my head from Kathryn brought me crashing back to reality.

It had happened six months ago, and since then I worked hard to become a better person. Now I was in better shape, I have worked on my basketball skills as she was a cheerleader and I have been studying properly as well. That’s right, I studied over the summer break. I was working hard for Elizabeth. I heard from Kathryn about Elizabeth breaking up with her boyfriend over the fourth of July weekend and remaining single for the rest of the summer. I would not let anything stand in our way.

So, are you just going to go to her, and confess your feelings? Kathryn asked while leaning over the seat.

Confess what? About me being attracted to her? I think she already knows about it. I answered. You told her, didn’t you?

"Yes, ol’ mastermind. I’ve been planting the seeds all summer, as you recommended.

Excellent, I said, rubbing my hands together.

I just hope it works out the way you want it to.

Why? I asked with a little bit of panic evident in my voice. Did she say something?

It’s what she didn’t say, Kathryn said.

There was a long pause, while I looked at her with bated breath to know the entire story.

Well, are you going to tell me or just torture me with silence?

She wasn’t jumping for joy or anything when I mentioned it to her. She didn’t react at all.

So, it did not go according to plan and therefore, I was hurt. I knew it was a long shot, but I needed to give it a try. All