God I hate... God, I hate getting up so early. But I only had three months left; then I will never have to get up early again. Three more months and this time I graduate. Dads are doing pretty well in railway work now. He hasn't been fired for a few years now. David is doing well in the Navy and my future at Taco Bell is almost a guarantee. I don't know why this degree shit is so important to everyone, I make 165.00 a week now and I'm only 18! It's better than some factories and I don't work as hard as them. If I didn't go to this stupid high school every day; I bet I could make $200, maybe $225 a week. They would let me work. I'm the best employee they have. One day I will own Taco Bell. " All right ! All right! I'm up, dammit! » I yell at mom, looking at the clock. Jesus! She didn't graduate and she did well. If only she knew how much I hated this place! Nothing was the same as when I was a child. Teachers taught for money. They don't care about us at all. Suddenly, all the guys I grew up with were “black.” This means they can't be seen hanging out with me because I'm now "white bread". I don't remember them bothering me when I spent the night at their house or when they stayed at my house. Now I'm part of the breed that owned and sold them. Go figure. I have never owned a slave. As far as I could tell, no one in my family had ever owned one either. Well, it's time to get ready. School starts in 30 minutes. Mom has to take me already. I think she's having fun getting on my nerves. Was I supposed to do some homework for today? Well, that's hard as fuck. They'll get it when I give it to them. Now where are my jeans? My God, it's cold! I hate mornings. I hate school. I hate teachers. I hate most students. Why did I go back there? Mom still takes me to school in a bathrobe! Isn't that a cool look! Dull pink nylon. Oh my God ! She even wears the pink fuzzy slipper! Oh, it's a beautiful sight. Stopping at Marion High in a 1972 Ford station wagon driven by a crazy woman in a nightgown and slippers! And roses, in tatters too! Dad could have a better car now; but does he?