My mom made the mistake of my life the day she decided to take the high road instead of taking action. It would have been nice to see her beat on someone else for a change. That was a dream. Anyway, I ended up going to the worst high school in the state because of the mistake my mom made with that heartless and evil woman.

I ended up at a school that I’m just going to call City Heights. That’s not the actual name, I’m just not interested in getting sued or being targeted for these truths I’m about to tell. How bad could it be, right? Extremely. City Heights already had a horrible reputation due to all the gang activity. Not only that, the upperclassmen hazed the freshmen every year by tradition. Guess who wasn’t having that shit. That’s right. Me. Motherfucking Adam.

I was already at home among gang bangers. I spent literally my whole life around them anyway. I already knew that I could navigate these situations quite well. However, what I was dissatisfied with were my post high school options. Like I said before, we were poor and there wasn’t much chance I would ever get through college if I didn’t get everything right in one shot. I was already at a stiff disadvantage at this school. There was very little funding, loads of trouble to get into, and there were bad influences everywhere.

I once witnessed a kid from the year ahead of mine raid the school with an AK-47 during my freshman year. I was staying after school to chase skirts in the school choir. The last of the young ladies had long since left and I strangely found myself hanging out with the teacher. He was interesting and I already had a passion for music. He taught me things and I didn’t mind helping him clean up when all of his fans finally ditched him. He was a war veteran. He couldn’t reliably line up the desks because of several bullet fragments lodged in his leg, so I did it for him. And while I did that, he would teach me a few things about the piano. Anyway, I’m getting a little distracted.

I was heading down the stairs to the front door when the other kid ran in with the ‘K. He looked determined and I wasn’t sure what to expect, so I stopped mid stride and held my breath. I was right at the top, so he didn’t even notice me. He ran into the locker room, which had an entrance just under me, tucked away under the stairs. What he didn’t know was the locker room was basically empty. What I didn’t know at the time was that the person he was looking for was still there. I heard their voices but no shots as I kept it moving right on out the front door. I didn't even feel guilty. These things happen all the time where I'm from. Hell, they still do even today. Whatever went on between them was their business and I wasn't interested in dying at only fourteen years old.

Just as I had to be tough, I also had to be smart. Survival was the objective, not some moral crusade to save the block from violent felons.

My bad day appeared to be far from over. Not only did I not get any new numbers and almost walk into a school shooting, I then arrived home to see some stranger walking out of it. I was stunned. I stared as this asshole boldly walked down the stairs in my direction. Apparently I was gawking at him for some time because his eyes locked onto me. I glared at him and he duly glared at me. This was an obvious sign of trouble. I was a small kid and he was significantly larger than I was at the time.

He started to head east but faltered. He must have noticed the jingling of my keys. I knew mom hadn't been home yet and there was no one there for him to be visiting. The neighbors downstairs from us were either working or in school and I knew their whole family already. He even left the door wide open when he came out. I contemplated rushing him with his back turned; get him before he could run up on me at the door to cover his tracks.

Dude: Fuck you looking at, little man? You retarded, or something?

He turned while he spoke to me.

Me: You just gone leave my door open? You ain't got no home training?

Dude: What did you just say to me, little ni--

Me: I said you could at least lock up behind yourself if you're going to rob us. We got enough problems as it is, we don't need rats too.

Dude: (ornery) So, what you gone do about it? You ain't gone beat my ass.

He challenged me. I was small but hardened enough to be intolerant to his defiance. The tone of his voice put a sour taste in my mouth. Mom always taught me to turn the other cheek and walk away, but I was never very good at it. This was one of those times I failed to learn what she tried to teach me. You know I made the exact wrong decision, right?

Me: The fuck you take out of my house, bruh?

Dude: Shit. I was just visiting, little homie.

Me: Who?

Dude: My mans. How about you mind your business?

Me: Only 3 guys live here and none of them were home. I'm the first to get back.

He was nervous. He knew not to turn his back on me. He licked his lips anxiously as irritation crossed his face. He started to turn red. He looked over his shoulder, saw no one, and stepped in my direction. I knew what was about to happen and I wasn't even a little scared. I slid my keys between my fingers and closed my fist around the ring.

Dude: (growling) I don't like the way you're talking to me, kid. Your moms might not whoop your ass but I will.

I met him halfway. Without hesitation, he took a swing at me. I ducked the punch just before it would have made contact with my chin. I pushed him off and went to drop my bag. He didn't give me the chance. He immediately followed up with a right hook that just brushed against the top of my head. I threw my backpack at him, hitting him square in the chest. He was shocked.

Laughter came from the avenue behind me. He panicked and ran, throwing my bookbag into the street as he took off in the other direction. I wasn't about to let him go that easily. I rushed to the back and let myself in through the basement entrance. I jumped down the stairs and grabbed my pistol from the niche in the basement ceiling.

He was near the opposite end of the block when I made it back to the sidewalk. I didn't even look around me, I just fired in his direction. I let six fly in rapid succession. He dropped less than a second later. My neighbor, guy number two, heard the shots and came running with one of our friends to see what happened. I turned when I heard his voice and saw him speeding around the corner. He was panicked. He was the one who gave me the gun.

Neighbor: (terrified) Yoooooo!!! What is you doing?!

Me: I caught that ni--

Neighbor: (shouting) Bro! Go check on him! Go look! I got this!

Homeboy: Alright! ALRIGHT!

Our homie ran down the street as fast as he could. My neighbor took the gun from me and ushered me in through the basement entrance.

Neighbor: (horrified) Are you out of your fucking mind?! You just shot that guy in broad daylight!

Me: (defensive) He started it!

Neighbor: (sarcastic) Yeah, okay. And what did he do?

Me: He ran up in our house! Who knows what he was doing in here! He could have goons upstairs waiting for us!

He froze, shocked. I stormed out to meet our boy at the street. He was just coming back. He was a mess. My neighbor was hot on my heels, silent. Our boy didn't even look at me.

Homeboy: Bro, if he ain't dead, he will be. He leaking - I mean HE is LEAKING, bro!

Neighbor: How bad is it?

Homeboy: Bro, this cat is LEAKING! He hit him FIVE times!

Neighbor: (stunned) What the fu--

Homeboy: Give me the heat.

My neighbor stood stunned.

Homeboy: (panicked) GIVE ME THE GUN! I know what to do with it.

My friend snapped out of his stupor and handed over the weapon. He couldn't believe what was happening. We heard sirens in the distance. Our buddy rolled it up in his shirt and jogged away, wiping the prints off as best he could with the hem. He rounded the south corner and disappeared from view.

I went in the house. I had enough excitement for one day. I went upstairs, slammed the door, stormed into my room, and just sat there. Good riddance to bad trash.