The Right Path
Rating: T
Summary: Jenny decides to enroll in a program that helps troubled teens. Too bad her philanthropist mindset is given a run for its money when she's assigned to help Julian. Can Jenny save him before it's too late, or will he just drag her down with him? R&R!
Disclaimer: The characters and FBG plot belong to L.J. Smith, but the plot of The Right Path is mine.
Part 1
Monday, June 1st
10:35 am
Rural America
The bus screeched to a halt at a gas station as some of the weary passengers clambered out to use the restroom or buy candy. I was sitting near the front, with my backpack beside me and an envelope in my tanned hand. Inside it was information on my assigned partner; I was traveling hundreds of miles away from my home to participate in the Right Path Program, where I would help a troubled teenager make good decisions. I leaned against the window and smiled, content with myself. Wouldn't it be great to see the face of my new friend when he or she realized that I had changed their life for the better? I believed that all people can become good again, and this person was no exception. The plain manila envelope was still in my hands, and I decided that I should probably rip its perfect seal to learn a bit about my partner/friend?/case study before meeting them.
Inside the envelope was several thick sheets of paper. I pulled them out with shaky hands. This wouldn't be that bad, right? I would help out a teenager with some problems at home, or some bad habits, and then they would be as good as new. This would be easy. My eyes scanned the first lines of the page.
Dear Jenny Thornton,
Our outmost thanks goes out to you for joining the Right Path Program during the summer of 2008. Unfortunately, you are the only person that has signed up to mentor another teenager, but we are sure that you will be fine. You have been assigned to help a very...... difficult young man, but after looking at the resume you submitted we are confident that you can do it. If you should have any trouble, our phone number is listed in the local Yellow Pages. Buses depart from this town for California once every two weeks, so if you are feeling unwell or are having troubles at home please notify us immediately so we can arrange your transport as soon as possible. It is unlikely that you will have any real problems with your assigned partner, and unless your tribulations with the Right Path Program are serious or life threatening any dropouts from this summer job will be reported to your future colleges and employers.
You will leave for Vista Grande on August 21st and unfortunately there is no way we can alter this departure date for you as the buses for the previous weeks are already full. You are permitted four days of vacation in order to return to California to visit your family; however, we believe that it is best that during the interim when you are separated from your partner, please call him often to ensure his well being. You will be staying in the Right Path dormitories on our property; the key is included in this letter. As you are going to be only one staying there, be sure to lock the doors at night and when you leave, as there has been some trouble in the surrounding neighborhood. Because we only have one student staying in the dormitory, there air conditioning will turn on at 4:00pm and will promptly be switched off at 8:30pm. To save on electricity, the power will be shut off from 7:30pm to 9:30am. Hot water is available in the showers from 7:00pm to 7:30pm, and someone will be sure to deliver your meals. Some lists are included to help you understand the rules of the Right Path Program (things you should say to your partner, things your partner is not allowed to do, etc), as well as some information on the young man you have been assigned to help. Good luck, and thanks again!
Sincerely,
Joe and Susannah Greene
Co-Founders of the Right Path Program
As my eyes scanned the letter I felt my stomach drop. This sounded more like prison! 30 minutes of hot water! Little electricity and air conditioning! And the Right Path Program seemed pretty adamant that I couldn't leave… how was I going to do this? They didn't seem too confident about my partner either, so how could I change him? And if I did have trouble, it didn't seem very likely that "Joe and Susannah Greene" were going to be very understanding of my situation… I mean, notifying colleges and employers about dropping out of the Right Path Program?! That would ruin my future! Before I could leave the bus and hitchhike home the wheels began to groan and push us forward, closer to our destination. I sucked in a breath, along with several tears, and found the paper containing details about my partner. At least my cell phone had an unlimited calling plan—surely Tom and Audrey and Dee and the others would listen to my problems, right? I smoothed back my shimmery gold hair, which was pulled back into a ponytail, and busied myself with reading about this person I was going to be throwing away, I mean, spending my summer with:
Julian (no last name)
16 years of age
Born on June 23rd, 1992
He is currently enrolled in a summer school program at Lewisburg High School, and is a rising senior.
Address: 5 Jay Avenue (a short walk from the Right Path dormitories), the home of his foster family, the Smiths.
Home Phone Number: 851-1934
Physical Problems: According to a doctor's report, Julian drinks often and is addicted to smoking. By August we would like for him to refrain from drinking alcohol as much as possible and you should be encouraging him to stop smoking and any other dangerous habits he may have. Julian is known for having some anger and violence issues, especially towards his foster family and the young people of Lewisburg. Hopefully with your guidance this problems will also stop.
Emotional Problems: Insanity and anger seem evident, towards his family (who abandoned him) and the rest of the world.
Any other issues that you come across should be reported in your Right Program journal, which will not be read, but which will aid you in your process of helping Julian turn his life around.
Now I really felt like crying. This Julian guy had so many problems, and it was evident that the ones listed were only on the surface. It didn't seem like many people had tried to find out what was really wrong with him, and I suspected that there were deeper emotional and physical issues that no one had discovered. I leaned back into my seat with a whimper. How was I going to accomplish this? This Julian was obviously very messed up, and no one seemed to care. I believed that all people could become good, but it didn't seem like this would be an easy task for Julian or me. My previous excitement crushed, I watched as the bus entered the town limits of Lewisburg, a rural town. One of the other papers indicated that I was to drop off my things at the dormitory and then meet Julian for several hours. This was going to be a long day…
A/N: What do you think? Jenny definitely isn't going to have it easy! Next chapter will be her first meeting with Julian, as well as his thoughts on the matter. And I know it would be amazing to see Julian, but that phone number and address are fictional, so please don't try to use them. Reviews and comments are welcome!
--TOTN