The School of Hardknocks

*narrating*

David: Hi.. I'm David. I'm 14 and..

Well I don't have the best life.

I have no friends well.. I have one.

Her names's Marilynn.

She's so amazing. We've been friends since 4th grade.

It was always me, her, and Derek.

Up until this year. When Derek started hanging with around with Brady and Carter. My enemies since forever. They've always tried to put me down and make me feel bad about myself. And now my so called best friend is doing the same.




February 26, 2013

-At school-

David: Well here we are at school. Welcome to my life.




Derek: Sup dweeb?

David: *rolls eyes*

David: *walks up to marilynn* Hey.

Marilynn: Hey Bubble

David: *smiles* How are you?

Marilynn: I'm good how are you?

David: I'm fantastic!

Marilynn: Why's that?

David: I have you as a best friend.

Marilynn: Awh David, You're so sweet, I'm so glad you're my best friend.

Marilynn: *smiles*

David: *smiles* Me too.




*Bell rings*

Marilynn: *goes to class*

-In the hall-

Carter: *pushes David into lockers*

David: *brushes it off and keeps walking*

Brady: Hey Loner, Who was that your girlfriend?

David: She's my friend.

Brady: Ohh cool. *trips him*

Carter: *kicks him*

Brady: *rolls over*

Derek: *kicks him really hard on the top of the foot*

David: *grunts* Owe.

Brady: *laughs*

Derek: *laughs*

Carter: *laughs*

*Brady, Derek , and Carter all walk off laughing*

David: *lies there trying to forget all the pain he's in and attempts to get up*




At lunch.

Marilynn: *drops wrapper to crackers* David it's closer to you. Can you get it?

David: Sure you turd??

Marilynn: Ohh my gaw! David.

David: What?

Marilynn: Your foot! It's purple!

David: Oh yeah. It's a bruise

Marilynn: From what?

David: Mm I don't even know.

Marilynn: Does it hurt?

David: Not really.




A month later

David: *hears yelling so walks up to the door and eavesdrops*

His mom: You know Brad I'm getting tired of your attitude toward me!

His dad: Well Rachel, I'm tired of yours too.

His mom: *raises voice* I'm going to bed.

David: *locks door and slides down* *face palms and begins to cry*

David: *phone vibrates*

David: *reads text*

"Derek: How that bruise? Ready for another loser?"

David: *throws phone and continues crying*

3 weeks later

In church

Brother Lawrence: Let's talk about depression. I know most of you have felt depressed. How do we deal with depression?

Macy: Pray.

Brother Lawrence: Yes. That's something we could do. Pray. God is in control. Amen?

Everyone: Amen.

Brother Lawrence: Any other things we could do when we're depressed?

Marilynn: *raises hand*

Brother Lawrence: Marilynn?

Marilynn: Talk to someone you love and trust

David: *tears up and looks down*

Brother Lawrence: Right! Like an adult or friend.

Brother Lawrence: As the band comes up, I'd like for you all who feel sad or depressed to just talk to someone you trust. There's me, your friends anyone.

David: *begins crying*

Marilynn: David, Come see.

*music begins playing*

*Marilynn and David sit in a corner*

Marilynn: Alright David tell me what's bothering you.

David: *tears stream down his face* nothing's bothering me.

Marilynn: And that's why you're crying?

Marilynn: Come on, Bubble. You can tell me anything.

David: I can't. *sniffs*

Marilynn: *hugs him*

David: *hugs her*

2 mins later

Marilynn: What's wrong?

David: *wipes eyes* I'm depressed.

Marilynn: Why?

David: Everyday when I'm late for class, it's not cause I forgot my combination for my locker

Marilynn: ??Well what is the reason then?

David: C-carter, Derek, and Brady, are pushing me around and hitting me and kicking me and.. Well any kind of physical contact you could think of pretty much. And that bruise you saw on my foot.. It did hurt and was from Derek he kicked me. It's not the first time he'd done anything like that to me.

Marilynn: *tears up* *puts hand on his sholder* David,

David: *looks up at marilynn*

Marilynn: why didnt you ever tell me?

David: I was hoping it'd just stop. But it hasn't. *sniffs*

Marilynn: I'm so sorry..

David: that's not why I'm depressed it's only half of it..

Marilynn: why else are you depressed?

David: my parents have been fighting.

Marilynn: oh my gosh. *tears up* *hugs him* I'm so sorry!

David: *hugs her* *sniffs*

Marilynn: I know it's hard.




A few moments of silence

Marilynn: I'll be back okay?

David: okay.

Marilynn: *smiles*

Marilynn: *gets Brother Lawrence then sits back down with them*

Brother Lawrence: David. Have you ever given your life to Jesus?

David: well I don't really know how to answer that.

Brother Lawrence: be honest. There's no right or wrong answer

David: I don't think so. But, I mean I pray. And I love God.

Brother Lawrence: do you want to give your life to Jesus?

David: *shakes head yes*

Brother Lawrence: *grabs his hands* let's pray.

David: okay.

Brother Lawerence: dear Lord bless this young man. Thank you. Thank you Lord. I thank you that he would like to give his life to you. Just be with him. I don't know what he's going through but I know that you do. And you're in control. For you are the most incredible, Lord. Thank you for this day, and may all be done In Jesus's name I pray amen.

After church

David: well I have to say that was the most crying I had done in a long time. But I felt better after church. Giving my life to The Lord was definitely something I'm not gonna regret. Marilynn was such a good friend. She comforted me and helped me. My mom yelled at me for being home late. But it didnt bother me one bit, because it was worth being punished for. If she knew why she wouldn't have punished me. She doesn't even have a clue that I heard her and dad fighting. Well carter texted me. And he tried to make me feel bad but not tonight. God has overwhelmed me. And I couldn't be happier.