Tristan's High School Life - 1. Chapter 1

“You’re going to be fine kiddo” Jackson said as waited in the elevator while it descended

“Why can’t TJ understand that I wanted to go to public school?” I asked

“He’s just worried about you. All your other siblings are in private school but you go against the grain, just like he would if he was in your shoes” Jackson said chuckling

“I know but I didn’t like private school. I had people wanting to be my friend because of Grandma and TJ” I said with a huff

“I can see having a mayor for a grandmother and deputy mayor for a brother could be a problem.” Jackson said

“I just want to be normal” I said

“Tristan, I get it; it’s a life you didn’t sign up for. I know your wish things worked out differently” Jackson said trailing off

“Oh you mean my dad’s? How they decided to up and disappear with Grandpa and we haven’t heard from them in years? Talk about abandonment” I said angrily

“TJ and I love you; you know that right?” Jackson said

“Yeah, I do” I replied as we finally made it to ground level.

“There is a car waiting to take you two blocks from school and he will also pick you up there.” Jackson said giving me a hug

“Ok, I also have my phone and emergency alert tag that TJ gave me” I said as Jackson released me

“I wish TJ would have come down but he’s being stubborn.” Jackson said

I hugged him again and I saw him wiping tears as I exited the building. I saw Kenny my usual driver sitting curbside

“Good morning Mr. Campbell” Kenny cheerily greeted me

“Morning Kenny” I replied hopping in the back of the car

“Now Mr. Campbell, I have strict instructions from TJ where to drop you off and pick you up. Jackson did say we had some wiggle room on location and timing and we can adjust if needed” Kenny spoke as we pulled into traffic

I sat there looking at my phone and the pictures of Damian and I. We spent the whole summer together on his parent’s farm in Minnesota. It was the only way I could disconnect after the passing of both of my grandfather’s Ron and Tony. They both made it to their 100^th birthday and died a month apart. I had to leave as TJ was driving everyone nuts.

“Mr. Campbell we have arrived” Kenny said breaking my trance

“Thanks for the lift Kenny. See you after school” I said hopping out and putting my backpack on closing the door. I started walking down the sidewalk towards the schools.

Eleanor Roosevelt High School; it is one of the only schools that didn’t get the caught up in the culture that seems to happen when a new regime takes over the White House or Mayor of the city. I walked in and didn’t know where to go.

“Can I help you?” This older lady said gruffly

“Uh, I’m a freshman and missed orientation and don’t know where to go?” I said

“Ok, head down this hall to the cafeteria and follow the signs to get your schedule.” She said

I walked down to the cafeteria and was looking around and when I walked in I saw tables with the alphabet and I went to the table and waited in line.

“Last name and first name” The man at the table said

“Campbell, Tristan” I replied and he sorted through the pile of schedules

“Alright Campbell, Tristan here is your schedule. Take this and this slip and go and get your school id” he said

“Thank you” I said and went and got my id and they also had a map which I took

I found my homeroom and took a seat in the back and looked at my phone and saw a text from Jamie

J: good luck brudder 

T: Thanks brother.

I quickly silenced my phone and stuck it in my pocket

“OK everyone take your seats” the man said

There was a mad scramble of kids sitting down and the room when quite.

“Alright, my name is Mr. Cartwright and I am your homeroom teacher. I will take attendance every day and you will hear the morning announcements and then off to first period.” he said and began calling out names

“Campbell, Tristan” Mr. Cartwright called out and all heads turned and looked at me

“Here” I said

“Are you that Tristan Campbell?” this girl sitting next to me

“What do you mean?” I said

“You know” She said

“Young lady, please leave Mr. Campbell alone” Mr. Cartwright said

I pulled my hood over my head and sunk down in my chair. Apparently I couldn’t escape my life.

After attendance the announcements started and I wasn’t paying any attention.

“Mr. Campbell, please stay after the announcements.” Mr. Cartwright said and wanted to find a hole to crawl into. After the announcements the bell rang and everyone shuffled out and I walked to the front

“You wanted to see me?” I said quietly

“Tristan, I wanted to make sure you were ok. Once everyone heard your name you seemed to retreat.” Mr. Cartwright said caringly

“I think so, I wanted to go to public school because I was tired of the attention” I said quietly

“You know I was excited to see I have you for home room and for Algebra. My daughter works for your Grandmother and she told me how you are a bright and wonderful young man.” Mr. Cartwright said

“Whose your daughter?” I asked running all grandma’s staff through my head and couldn’t think of a Cartwright

“Allison Samuels” Mr. Cartwright replied

“Oh Ali” I said

“Now I won’t tell her anything about you but just know you have a friend if you need one” Mr. Cartwright said

“Thanks I appreciate that” I said and smiled

The bell rang again and I sighed

“Let me walk you to your next class” he said

“Thank you, sir” I replied and he smiled

“Let’s see, only down the hall for you to Spanish IV?” Mr. Cartwright questioned

“Yeah I’m pretty fluent in it.” I said

“Ah I see.” He said and chuckled

“I’m good in math too but they wouldn’t let me take a placement test.” I said

“Let’s talk about that later; excuse Mrs. Hernandez I kept Mr. Campbell after homeroom.” Mr. Cartwright said

“Ah, thank you for bringing him down” She said and gestured for me to come in. I found a seat in the back and I was the youngest person in this class of seniors.

After handing out the syllabus we had to do those terrible ice breakers. We had to say our names and what we did this summer and the ad to do it in Spanish.

When it was my turn I said: Mi nombre es Tristan Campbell. Pasé el verano con mi amigo en Minnesota.

“Muy bien señor Campbell” Mrs. Hernandez said smiling

After class Mrs. Hernandez came over: El Sr. Hogan me contó sobre su examen de nivel de español y lo bien que lo hizo. Creo que Español 4 puede estar por debajo de ti, pero ya veremos.

Translation: Mr. Hogan told me about your spanish placement test and how well you did. I think Spanish 4 may be below you but we'll see.

I left class with a smile on my face and walked to the science wing. I took my seat at one of the empty lab tables and bent down to put my bag on the floor and heard someone sit down next to me. When I sat back up I lost my breath… the most beautiful boy with the blondest hair and bluest eyes was sitting there.

“Santa mierda, estás caliente” I said blushing

Translation: Holy shit. You are hot

“no tan mal tu mismo” the hot boy said

Translation: Not so bad yourself

Holy fuck… he understood me

“I’m Justin” he said sticking out his hand

“Um Tristan” I muttered shaking his hand

“Well Um Tristan, nice to meet you” Justin said smiling

“Hey we are supposed to be lab partners” a carbon copy of Justin said

“Sorry Julian but I think I’d rather be partners with Tristan” Justin said

“Alright we have and odd number of students, so young man grab a chair and sit a table” the teacher said and Julian grabbed a chair and sat down with us.

The teacher went through the normal class procedures and I tried to pay attention but with Justin and Julian sitting here I couldn’t concentrate. We were going through introductions when a security guard came in

“Excuse me, I need Mr. Tristan Campbell” the guard said

“Ah he was next on our list. Mr. Campbell you may go” the teacher said

“In trouble already” Someone said and folks laughed

We walked to the office and I could see quite the commotion outside the windows.

“Tristan Campbell is here” the guard said to the secretary.

“Thank you, right this way Mr. Campbell.” The secretary said leading me down the hall to a conference room.

She opened the door and I saw Grandma and TJ in there along with Mr. Cartwright.

“Come in and sit down Tristan, you are not in trouble” Mr. Cartwright said