I woke up, in the same familiar place and a familiar setting. Like always I just wanted to stay in bed and hide under the covers. But today, according to my mother, was a special day. I, Finn Hudson, was starting my Sophomore year of High School. Even though I looked like I was finishing my last year of High School. Most people usually get excited for high school. Not me. My mom and I moved here over the summer. We lived over in Troy, Ohio. My mom got a better job offer to work at the local hospital. I didn't want to leave my friends over there but I guess I had to.
I've never been a happy child. I mean my mom says I was always happy and smiling, but I never felt happy on the inside. My childhood wasn't exactly the best. Most people never really understood the things I have been through, because they never experienced it.
Most kids my age have had a better childhood than me. A friend of mine, David, has been to the Bahamas, Disneyland, Jamaica, and Mexico. The closet I've ever gotten to those places is by a Television screen. I'm not like the rest of other kids here in Lima, I don't have my own sports car, I don't have an iPod, I don't own clothes from Abercrombie and Fitch, Hollister or any kind of trendy clothes.
I make do with what is seen in my closet. Affordable clothes. Sure they aren't cool, but they are cool enough for me. I grabbed some of the newer clothes that I bought the other day for this day in particular. Fashion has never been in my area of expertise, but at least I had something.
As I got ready for the day, I hoped for the best, in school and outside of school. I pray every night, hoping that things for my mom and I would get better. You see, my mom and I are real close, and I'm grateful for that. Most kids treat their parents like complete shit. I'm lucky enough to have one parent that puts up with my crap. My mom and I, we aren't rich, we aren't what people call "Middle Class". We're dirt poor.
There have been nights where I go to bed hungry, because we can't afford a simple meal from McDonalds, or I don't have enough money for lunches at school. There have been times where I just sit in my room and cry because that's all I ever feel like doing. I always pray, pray for the good in people's hearts. I pray to have food on the table; I pray to have a roof over my head. I get so tired of crying all the time, but sometimes it's all I want to do.
I walked downstairs and into the kitchen. My mom was smiling, she was so proud of me. I've changed in the summer, and she thought the change was good. She gave me a giant hug.
"You excited?" She asked.
I looked at her, "It's just school. I'm never excited about that".
"Finn, this is a brand new year for you. New experiences, new friends, make the best out of this year. Who knows what will happen", my mom always tried to make me feel better when I was feeling down. "I wrote you a check for lunch. 60 dollars. That's good for about 2 months. When you're low, I'll write you another check".
"Sounds good", I said with fake smile.
She told me to go get my shoes and she would drive me to McKinley High. She always insisted on driving me to school and home from school. We always listened to Classic Rock in the car. She knew it was my favorite genre of music. It made me happy, and my happiness was important to my mom. Even though we were stuck in a rut, we were both somewhat happy with our lives.
We pulled into the parking lot of McKinley. She told me to have a great day, and she would be waiting for me at 3:30. She gave me a kiss on the cheek before I left the car. She wished me luck on my first day and then she drove away.
I just watched her leave, I didn't want to be here, I just wanted to be at home, and I took a deep and long sigh, before walking up the steps. Waiting for what could be the best, or the worst day of my high school career.