Graduation

All I had to do was turn in my final project before being able to walk that stage. I had fallen behind on a couple of my assignments, and my professor said if I could program my robot to drive by itself for 2 minutes and perform several tasks, I would still be able to graduate. Oh man, I was riding my bike the fastest I could when I finally figured it out! It took a full week for me to figure it out, but I did it, and when he sees this, he’s not only going to pass me but give me an A!

The wind felt great on my face, and the sun was shining brightly. Everything was finally falling into place. I am finally going to graduate and work for my dream company, Microsoft! Man has Bill Gates started something amazing. He’s probably one of the most intelligent men out there, and an offer was extended to me to work for them in New Mexico. New Mexico! I’m going to be helping them transition to Washington by making sure everything is backed up and can be moved quickly and safely. At this point, I don’t care what I do for them! This is the chance of a lifetime.

“HEY GEEK!”

“Wh-?”

CRASH

“Hahaha, look at that dweeb! What a nerd. Where did you learn how to ride a bike, nerd? Maybe you wouldn’t have crashed if you knew how to dodge sticks!”

What happened? Ow, fuck, my arm is killing me. Shit, is it broken? Oh, fuck! My robot!

“Awwww, did the poor little nerd’s robot break? What a shame!”

They laughed at me and mocked me as they walked away. All I could do was stare at my creation in shock. How could this happen? How did I miss the stick being shoved into my bike wheel? Fuck! I need to convince my professor what happened! I must pass this class!

When I got to his office, I didn’t wait for anyone to let me through. I walked right in, and he was sitting at his desk.

“Professor, please, let me explain!”

“Whoa, Adam, slow down. What is going on?”

“I was on my way to show you that I was able to program my robot to drive on its own and it can do that for 5 minutes instead of 2, and some kids stuck a stick out that made me crash my bike, and when I fell, the robot broke! Please, Professor, I need to pass this class to graduate! Can I get just a small extension?”

“Adam, the deadline for grades is already passed. This was your extension. If I give you another one, what message does that send the rest of the students? Or the school board? I’m sorry, Adam, but I can’t pass you.”

“But –“

“Adam, there’s nothing more to be said. I’m sorry. It’s over.”

He walked me to the door, gave me a somber look, and closed the door. I can’t believe that’s it – it’s over – my life is over.

I found a bench while I walked my bike and broken robot back to my apartment and sat for a minute. I needed to try to clear my head. My brain was a jumbled mess. I couldn’t think straight or see more than 2 feet in front of me. My whole life is over. What am I going to do now? I have no future.

The kids from earlier were walking across the street, laughing and having a great time. They didn’t see me. Why would they? I was a nobody before my robot, and I’m a nobody now that it’s broken. I don’t have the time or resources to fix it, and they don’t care. But they will care. I will make them care.

Rage overcame me quickly. I saw red before I even knew what was happening. My vision was cutting in and out, but I knew exactly what I was doing. I got up from the bench, ran across the street, grabbed a rod on the ground, and swung it at the kid who put the stick in my bike wheel. He instantly fell to the ground with blood pouring out of the wound I had left on his head.

The other two tried to stop me, but my arms swung faster than they could move. Two hits, and they both joined the other on the ground. All three were bleeding and moaning for help, but I just stood over them, watching them suffer.

I thought I was finished, but my body decided it wanted more. My arms lifted the rod above my head, and in one quick movement, they swung downward, landing perfectly on the shins of the first boy.

CRACK

His legs broke instantly, and he screamed in pain. But I don’t want to hear their voices anymore – I do not want them to breathe anymore – my life is ruined because of them!

I curled my hands into tight fists, fists full of anger and hatred for ignorant assholes like them. And I began repeatedly swinging on the first boy. Blood was pouring out of his nose and mouth. His eyes were starting to swell shut from the bruising. I was quicker with the next two. My hands were throbbing, so I grabbed the rod again and smashed their faces with it.

By the time I was finished, none of them were making any noises. They were quiet.

My life was over.

And so was their’s.

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