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NEXT SEASON ON HIGH SCHOOL NORMALITY...


Senior year may be half over, but it's not over yet!

HIGH SCHOOL NORMALITY

THE FINAL SEASON

January 2010

Are You Happy Now? (Season Two Finale)

PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN ON HIGH SCHOOL NORMALITY

"Term ended and I'm coming home tomorrow. I wanted to know if you would want to grab some coffee on Sunday around 5?"
"Um, sure. Sounds good. I'll see you then."

"I think you're making a bigger deal out of this then needs to be made."

"Just don't do anything you'll regret. Callie seems really great."

"Where are we?"
"What do you mean?"

"I mean, after two months with Joy, where were you guys?"

"Your father owes Lucy Greer a lot of money."

"Yeah..."

"He has a three year-old daughter with her, and now has four thousand dollars in child support that he has to pay."

"I invited you because I wanted you to see that those feelings I once had for her are gone."
"What about the whole idea that you never forget your first love?"

"You are my present, and hopefully my future, because I love you, and I want us to last so much longer than Joy and I did."
"I love you too, David."

"David, I need you to come home right now so you can take me to the airport."
"Where are you going, Cal?"
"I'll explain on the way to the airport, but you have got to come home right now."

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"Step on it!"

It was the only time my father, Cal, had ever condoned driving fast. It was a 45 mph zone, and I was already going 52.

"Come on, David, we HAVE to get a move on!"

I increased my speed to about 57 mph, praying that I wouldn't be pulled over.

As Cal and I merged onto the 101, I sped up to 65 mph and both Cal and I were comfortable there.

"So, where are you going?"

"I'm going to Israel."

"That's cool. Is this a trip with the school or something?"

Cal was silent.

"Cal, what the hell is going on?"

Still silent.

"Tell me what's going on or I will get off of this freeway at the next exit and I will turn around."

"It's not a short-term thing!"

I tried to digest it, but I kept hoping I had heard wrong.

"What do you mean it's not a short-term thing? How long of a term is it?"

"Forever."

My name is David, and I'm a normal high school student.

And had it not been the cantankerous tone of my heart pounding against my chest, the prius would have been totally and completely awkwardly silent.

There was no music playing. My usual soundtrack of Coldplay and country music had ceased to exist during this excruciating car ride. I couldn't wrap my head around this. Cal had left before, but never to a foreign country, and certainly never to Israel.

"So, Cal, let me ask you something."

"Okay..."

"WHY? Why the FUCK are you doing this? What the HELL are you RUNNING FROM?"

"It's complicated."

"Then why aren't you working it out like a MAN?"

"It's easier this way."

"Typical Cal. Always taking the EASY WAY OUT!"

"DAVID JUST FUCKING DRIVE!"

"Why? Why should I adhere to this, Cal? Am I an accomplice? Are you running from the law? It's not like it would surprise me."

"David, I said it was complicated. Why isn't that ENOUGH?"

"Because it tells me NOTHING!"

I would like to be able to say that Cal's behavior was surprising, but it wasn't. It was totally and completely expected.

Back at home, my sister Libby had come back home to help my mom get the house ready for the first night of Chanukah. Every year we hosted a party for the first night and invited all of our friends. I always looked forward to Chanukah; eight nights where I actually felt that my family wasn't so bad. Of course Cal had to screw everything up, just like he always does. It was so nice to have this dark cloud hovering over my favorite holiday.

After about a half hour of painful silence, we reached Sky Harbor Airport and I pulled up to the curb.

"By the way, the Prius is your's."

"Wow, there IS a silver lining!"

"David, please try to understand. This is--"

"Complicated? You told me."

Cal and I looked at each other for a moment. It was the first time him and I had truly seen each other for who we were. I saw him as a sad little man who knew only how to run away, and he saw a man who finally knew how to deal with things the right way.

"Take care of yourself, son."

"I've been doing it for awhile, Dad."

"You called me Dad."

"Well, it's the last time I'm ever going to see you, so why not?"

He hugged me and for some strange reason I hugged him back.

"Someday you will understand all of this, David."

"And someday I hope you will too."

I turned around to get back into the Prius, fighting back tears and anticipating that I would never look back, but--

"David!"

I tearfully turned around.

"I almost forgot. This is a ticket for you. One day, when you do understand all of this, please come find me."

We went to our vehicles--me to my car, him to his plane--and neither of us ever looked back.

As I put the pirus in drive, I headed toward the "Cell Phone Parking Lot" and parked. As I watched the planes taking off and landing through a stream of fat, wet tears, I thought about destinations. Everyone is always going somewhere, whether it is another state, another country, or just the next class of the school day, we are always on the move. We are nomads in our natural form. Without a destination, we are just standing there with no purpose.

So as I took one final glance at the nomadic runway, I walked back to my car and headed home.

"That's it? He just left the country?"

"It sounds so simple, doesn't it?"

"I'm so sorry, David. Look, why don't you come over? My parents have been dying to meet you, anyway."

"I don't want to impose."

"David, you're my boyfriend. You wouldn't be imposing even a little."

"Okay, let me just text my mom and let her know what my plans are."

After receiving the okay from my mom, I headed over to Callie's house to meet her parents.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Callie answered the door. It seemed like our coffee date with my ex, Joy, had been ages ago even though it was only about an hour previous.

"Hi, honey."

We kissed and I almost felt better. Being with her made everything worthwhile. It was one of the reasons I loved her so much.

"David, these are my parents, Robert and Suzanne Anderson. Mom, Daddy, this is David Adler."

"Lovely to meet you, David."

"Yes, Calliope has told us so much about you."

I shook Robert's hand and Suzanne gave me a hug.

"Well I hope you're hungry. There's ravioli in the kitchen for you."

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Anderson."

"Oh, darling call me Suzanne."

"Okay. Well, thanks Suzanne."

Callie's parents walked into the kitchen and I looked at my girlfriend.

"Calliope?"

"Shut up."

Suzanne was a phenomenal cook. Her ravioli alfredo was exquisite, as was her garlic cheesy bread. It was nice to spend time with a real family for once in my life.

"So David, Calliope tells us that you're a Jew?"

"Yes, sir."

"I think that's quite wonderful, really."

"Um, thanks."

How do you respond to that?

"Robert and I chose to raise Calliope in a non-denominational home. We believe in God, of course, but we don't feel that it is neccessary to put a label on it."

"If only the entire world didn't see a need to put labels on religion."

"That's exactly how we feel!"

"Calliope has never had a suitor who has actually agreed with us! Oh, Calliope you MUST keep him!"

"That's the plan."

Callie kissed me. I don't know why I was so surprised at how comfortable I was with her family. I felt so at home.

RING RING RING

I had received a text message from my mom telling me I had to go home, so I said goodbye to Robert and Suzanne after inviting them to the Chanukah party, and Callie walked me to my car.

"What did you think?"

"They are so great! I envy that."

"David, the rest of your family seems great. Just because your dad isn't great doesn't mean the rest of your family isn't. I can't wait to meet them on Friday night."

"I love you so much."

"I love you too."

We kissed once more and I drove back home.

School was a blur that week. We were preparing for our holiday concert in choir, we were on deadline in journalism, and I had a C in AP Government/Econ, but I couldn't seem to focus on anything. I couldn't even focus on Mark Adams' latest escapade, or the reactions from Michael Florence and Aaron Stanwick.

"She put her LEGS BEHIND HER HEAD!"

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Wow, you really are out of it."

"What's going on?"

I looked at my friends and took a deep breath.

"Cal's in Israel. And he's not coming back this time."

"Oh my God!"

"David, I'm so sorry."

"Stupid fucker. What is wrong with him?"

"It's okay, I'm over it."

And for the most part, I really was over it. I just couldn't figure out why he left. What was the big hurry? Why now? Why right before Chanukah?

"Leslie, over here!"

Michael's girlfriend, Leslie Lawrence, shot him a tearful look and walked away.

"Did you guys break up AGAIN?"

"I'll be right back."

Michael ran over to his girlfriend and wrapped his arms around her. She started bawling on his chest.

"Babe, what's going on?"

"I got a D on my English test!"

"That's it?"

"And now I have a C in the class, and it's too late to bring it up to an A!"

"Babe, it's gonna be alright. You've already been accepted into plenty of schools."

"But what if they don't want me anymore?"

"Anyone who doesn't want you would be crazy!"

"Thank you, Michael. I'm sorry for freaking out, I've just--I've got a lot on my mind. I've gotta go though. I'll see you later."

Leslie walked off toward the parking lot so she could take advantage of her half day.

"I love you!"

Michael walked back toward us with a confused look on his face.

"What was that all about?"

"She's freaking out over an ENGLISH TEST!"

"It was a hard English test."

"That's not the point! She gives me this look of depression and then tries to just walk away from me? Is that normal?"

"I don't know if we're the best judges of normal relationships."

"You and Callie seem to be pretty normal."

"I don't know. I guess it's more normal than Joy and I ever were."

"Relationships are just abnormal in general. God intended for us to be fruitful and multiply, and how can we do that with one person?"

"Mark, you don't even believe in God."

"True, but if there was a God, he would know what he was talking about here."

DING DONG DING DONG

"Well, I guess I'll go hang out in Connolly's room until the day ends."

"It must be hard having a half day without being able to drive."

"Yeawhatava."

The days went by and my tone toward school remained apathetic. I had had senioritis since I was in 4th grade, but I had never had it this badly. All I could think about was the ticket to Israel and the visions of the planes taking off and landing. I thought about the look in Cal's eyes when I called him dad, the feeling of weakness as I hugged him goodbye, and the feeling of strength as I walked back toward the car. I had changed so much over the past few years. Maybe it's just something that comes with age.

Friday finally came and at approximately 5:30 PM, our guests began arriving. Mom's colleagues from work flooded the room with "Linda, I love your hair!" and "Lin, your decorum is SO CUTE!" Then Jake's friends, who were all female, were aflutter over his new pea coat. Then, my friends came. Michael was the first to arrive.

"Hey, Dave. Happy Chanukah."

"You too, I guess. Where's Leslie? I figured you guys would carpool here."

"No, she said she wanted to bring herself here, and in her current emotional state, I don't want to do anything to set her off. Where's Callie?"

"She's coming with her parents. She should be here soon."

And as if by clockwork--

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Hi honey."

"Hey! I brought some jelly doughnuts. I understand that's a popular thing to have during Chanukah."

"Thanks. Hello Suzanne, Robert."

"Hello, David."

"Good to see you, son."

I introduced them to my mom and the three of them went into the kitchen to have an adult conversation.

Soon after, Mark and Aaron arrived, as well as Mal Wales, who had become a pretty good friend since choir retreat.

"Not too shabby, Adler."

"Why thank you. I like having a nice place to come home to. Have you met Callie?"

"I have not. Mallory Wales, my friends call me Mal."

"Nice to meet you, Mal."

After we lit the Shabbat candles, and then the Chanukah ones, the festivities were underway with songs, dancing, and eggnog (I know, it's not a traditionally Jewish thing, but it's damn good).

At around 7:25, we heard the doorbell ring.

"I'll get it."

I opened the door to a crying Leslie Lawrence.

"Leslie, are you okay?"

"Can you get Michael please?"

"Sure."

I went back inside and found Michael, who immediately made a b-line to my front door. They walked toward the sidewalk.

"Babe, what's the matter?"

"I'm late."

"I know, the party started at 5:30, but you're here now, so--"

"No, Michael. I'm late."

"What--Oh my God. Um, how late?"

"About five days. I don't know what to do!"

Michael wrapped his arms around his girlfriend.

"Everything's gonna be okay. Let's just go to the drug store and get a pregnancy test."

"Okay."

Michael came back inside to tell me that him and Leslie were leaving.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, Leslie's just not feeling too good."

"Okay, well tell her I hope she feels better."

So Michael and Leslie left, unbeknownst to us that they were about to find out something that would tremendously affect their lives forever.

Meanwhile, Aaron came up to me.

"Hey, have you seen Mark?"

"Come to think of it, no I haven't seen him since he got here."

"Wow, I've never done it in a coat closet before."

"I know, it's definitely different. So what's our escape route?"

"Um, okay, you go out first and say that you thought you were going to powder your nose but you forgot your powder in your jacket?"

"Um, I don't powder my nose."

"None of these people know that."

"Okay, what about you?"

"I'll wait about 15 minutes and then I'll say I was looking for the gift that I'm giving David."

"Oh, what'd you get him?"

"Nothing, but they don't know that."

"For someone who's never had sex in a coat closet before, you sure know a lot about escaping."

"I've fucked in a lot of other really odd places. Remind me to tell you about it some time."

"Will do. Anyway, um, great sex, and I'll see you later."

"Yup."

Mal emerged from the coat closet and bumped right into me.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, David. I was just looking for my powder so I could powder my nose."

"Um, okay then. Have fun with that. Hey, where's your purity ring?"

"Oh, must have fallen out somewhere. Oh well."

She walked away and the party continued. About 15 minutes later, I finally found Mark.

"Mark! Where were you?"

"Um, in the bathroom. Latkes didn't sit well in my stomach."

"Fair enough."

I tend to not ask questions when it comes to Mark. It keeps life much simpler.

At around 9:30, all of mom's friends started leaving, and then at around 11, Jake's friends were being picked up. So by 11:30, it was just Callie, Mal, the guys, and I. Mom, Suzanne, and Robert were still in the kitchen talking. It felt good to just be sitting with my friends and my incredible girlfriend drinking hot chocolate and talking. It was the first time life had seemed remotely perfect all week.

There's no way to live a life of complete perfection, because there's no such thing as perfection. If anyone ever reached perfection, than they would have no way of improving themselves. They would not be normal. But sitting and chilling with the people that I loved was very normal. It was the most normal occurrance since Cal left.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

I walked to the door, hoping that it would be Michael and Leslie coming back to the party to have some cocoa. I had hoped that it was Joy turning her "Maybe" reply to a "Yes". I even hoped that it might have been Cal with an apology that he would have rehearsed the entire ride back from Israel. I hoped and I hoped and I hoped, but in the end it was the last person I had hoped would show up.

I opened the door to a woman in her early 30s, and a little girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes.

"May I help you?"

"I'm looking for Cal Adler."

"He doesn't live here anymore. Um, who are you?"

I knew as soon as I muttered those words I would live to regret it.

"My name is Lucy Greer, and this is my daughter Maya. You must be David."

I couldn't respond. I was too distracted by the noise of my heart pounding against my chest like a mallot on a bass drum.

David Adler

Normal High School Student

I'm With You

PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN ON HIGH SCHOOL NORMALITY

"If I had no friends, I would be looking for some reinforcements."
"You don't have any friends."
"But I have drugs."

"David. What a pleasant surprise. Have you come to feed your addiction?"

"Steve, I came over here to tell you to not sell anything else to Mark."

"David, David, David, don't you understand that I am not the one that seeks out my customers? They find me. If Mark finds me again wanting the goods, I have to supply them."

"Steve, just be smart here. Leave Mark Adams alone."

"What if we put ourselves in a situation where he would HAVE to listen to us?"
"We are NOT locking ourselves in a room."
"No, I mean like an intervention."

"It's not you, it's me. You are a great guy and any girl would be happy to have you."
"So, you're breaking up with me?"

"I hope we can still be friends!"

"I'm sorry for everything that has happened. Your escapades and sailor mouth get on my nerves, but you wouldn't be you without those things."

"I'm sorry too, Aaron. I can't believe this got so out of hand."
"It's okay, Mark. It's okay. Let's just get down from here."

"Term ended and I'm coming home tomorrow. I wanted to know if you would want to grab some coffee on Sunday around 5?"
"Um, sure. Sounds good. I'll see you then."

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"Are you out of your fucking mind?"

Mark Adams was astounded by the fact that my ex-girlfriend, Joy Harris, had just called while we drove to the Coffee Plantation.

"What's the big deal? We had dinner before she left, we kept in touch a little on Facebook. We're friends."

"But this is different."

"How?"

"Because she's coming back from England and the first person she wants to see is you!"

"I don't know if I was the first person or not."

"You might as well have been since you're seeing her on SUNDAY."

I pulled into the parking lot of the Coffee Plantation and parked the prius.

"I think you're making a bigger deal out of this then needs to be made."

"I don't think you're making a big enough deal out of this. This is your ex-girlfriend--your ex-girlfriend who you broke up with right before you went all the way with her--your ex-girlfriend who made out with some other guy--"

"I'm very well aware of who she is, Mark. She's my ex."

"Just don't do anything you'll regret. Callie seems really great."

The thing that Mark didn't understand was that I wasn't planning on doing anything even potentially stupid. I was in a relationship with a girl who I really cared about, and I wasn't about to screw that up.

My name is David, and I'm a normal high school student.

And in my eyes there was absolutely nothing abnormal about seeing a friend who happened to have been my girlfriend at one point.

"Really David?"

"Don't you remember the last time you met up with her?"

Michael Florence and Aaron Stanwick were just so supportive.

"What about last time?"

"Remember, it got all awkward?"

"That's because we were talking about my accident, and rehab, and our relationship."

"And what do you think you'll talk about this time?"

"We're just grabbing a quick cup of coffee and talking about her England experience a little bit. Why would our relationship come up?"

"Why wouldn't it?"

"Thank you, Captain Logic."

"David, we're just looking out for you."

"I know you are, and I appreciate that, but trust me when I say that I know what to do here."

Once we had moved on from the subject of my coffee date with Joy, our reunion at the Coffee Plantation was a lot of fun. It felt as though we were never apart.

The next night, Callie Anderson and I went to dinner for our two month anniversary. I had saved up some money from working at the UPS Store so I could take her to the Capitol Grille.

"Do you want to split the lemon chicken?"

"David, I've been thinking, and, well, where are we?"

"We're at the Capitol Grille about to order dinner."

"I mean, where are we in this relationship? I mean, it's been two months and I feel like we've gotten nowhere."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, after two months with Joy, where were you guys?"

"Starting the last month of our relationship."

"Why are you skating around this subject?"

"Because if I skate anywhere near it, I might fall through the ice."

"Meaning..."

"Meaning that two months with Joy wasn't at all the same as two months with you. Everything moved so fast with Joy."

"How was the sex?"

I did the cliche spitting out of the drink in response to this question.

"Why would you ask that?"

"Can you just answer the question?"

"We never had sex."

"But you just said things moved really fast."

"They did. We professed our love for each other after three weeks."

It was Callie's turn to do the cliche spitting.

"Did you love her?"

"I thought I did. But I think I just wanted someone to love."

"And you don't now?"

"What's the point of this conversation?"

"Nothing. There's no point. Let's order dinner."

We did end up splitting the lemon chicken, but the rest of dinner was not as romantic as I had hoped. Much of it was silent, actually.

The drive back to her house wasn't that much better. We listened to Coldplay, and I sang a little bit, but it didn't put a smile on her face.

When I pulled up to her house, I broke the unbearable silence.

"Callie, what's up? You're not yourself tonight."

"I'm sorry, it's just that I saw on your Facebook that you're seeing Joy tomorrow."

"Yeah? So?"

"Well, I was a little confused as to why you didn't tell me."

"I guess it slipped my mind. We're just meeting for coffee, it's not a big deal."

"But it is for me. You are about to see the girl who broke your heart into a million pieces."

"Yeah, but those pieces have been mended because of you."

"But what if that is all I am? What if you see Joy tomorrow and every feeling you have ever had for her comes back and you look at me and say 'Thanks for the glue'?"

"Callie, you have nothing to worry about. You are so much more than glue to me."

"Okay. I trust you. Goodnight."

We kissed, and then I drove away. On the way home, using the album "X and Y" as my soundtrack, I thought about how far I have come since my relationship with Joy. It had been almost a year since the first time I saw her working at the cash register of the Coffee Plantation. I remembered the rapid pace of my heartbeat when I caught the first glimpse of her face, and the adrenaline rush I felt when I was going to talk to her at regional choir auditions. I remembered the magic of our first kiss on Valentine's Day, and the excitement of telling her I loved her. Then I remembered the paranoia that set in when I found out that Jamie was a guy, and the hurt I felt when I found out that she had kissed him.

RING RING RING

"Hello?"

"If you don't want me to see her tomorrow, I won't."

"David, I want you to do whatever you want. It's not up to me who you have coffee with."

"But if you are uncomfortable with me seeing Joy, then I will call her tomorrow and cancel our plans."

"No, that wouldn't be right. She's been excited about seeing you. You should meet up with her."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am. I'm sorry that I was so dramatic tonight. It's just that--um--actually, never mind."

"What?"

"I forgot what I was going to say. It must not have been important."

"Okay. Then I guess I'll talk to you sometime tomorrow."

"Okay. Bye."

The next day, I called an emergency meeting with the guys so we could talk about my confusion during the date.

"Dude, you are so stupid."

"That was a little blunt--"

"I mean, why isn't this obvious to you?"

"If it was obvious, would I have called this meeting?"

"It's just that, you're usually pretty good with this type of stuff."

"What kind of stuff? What are you guys getting that I'm not?"

The three of them gave me one more "You're an idiot" look before Mark spoke.

"Callie loves you, you fucking moron!"

The peanut gallery nodded in agreement, and then it hit me.

"Oh my God, I AM stupid!"

"So what are you going to do?"

I had to think about this. Callie had told me to meet up with Joy, but the one person I wanted to be with was Callie. That's when I realized exactly what I needed to do.

RING RING RING

Callie received a text message asking her to meet me at the Coffee Plantation at 5. It was a good thing that she didn't know what time I was meeting Joy. After I got a text back saying "Ok," the plan was underway.

I got to the Coffee Plantation at 4:50 to get a table and wait for Callie and Joy to come. At around 4:55, Joy got there.

"David!"

She wrapped her arms around me and gave me a hug. It was good to see her; not awkward like the last time I saw her.

"Let me grab a lattee and then I can tell you all about England."

"Okay, great."

While Joy waited in line, Callie arrived.

"Hey babe."

"Hey. I could really use a cappuccino right now. Shall we wait in line?"

"You go ahead, honey, I'll stay here with the table."

"Okay."

Joy came back to the table with her lattee and she started telling me all about England.

"So, did I tell you that Othello is my new favorite play? It was so amazing reading Shakespeare in England. I felt like I was truly immersed in the world that Shakespeare lived in. And I will tell you there is NOTHING like seeing A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Globe. I will never be able to watch theatre the same way again!"

It was at this time that Callie came back with her cappuccino.

"Oh Joy, there's someone I want you to meet. This is Callie Anderson, the greatest girl a guy could ever ask for."

"Oh, so you're Callie? I've heard so much about you."

"You must be Joy. It's so nice to finally meet you."

"Likewise."

They shook hands and Callie pulled up a chair while I waited in line to get an espresso.

"So David told me you were in England for the semester. How was it?"

"It was amazing. I can't even begin to describe it. Have you ever read Othello?"

I was very proud of myself. I had gotten my girlfriend to be comfortable with me seeing my ex-girlfriend simply by inviting her. Not that Callie didn't trust me, but I think having her there made everything all the more comfortable. It was one of the things that I loved about her.

"And that's how I came to the conclusion that it's not a play about race, but a play about jealousy!"

"That's brilliant! I've never thought of it that way."

The three of us were at the Coffee Plantation for about two and a half hours talking and laughing and having a great time. At about 7:35, Joy's mom picked her up (since she still didn't drive herself) and then it was just Callie and I.

"So what did you think of her?"

"She seemed so sweet. I can't imagine her breaking your heart."

"Well people tend to do the unexpected."

"Speaking of the unexpected..."

"I invited you because I wanted you to see that those feelings I once had for her are gone."

"What about the whole idea that you never forget your first love?"

"You're right. I will never forget about her, or my relationship with her, but there are a lot of things I will never forget. Seeing my mom get arrested, my six weeks in rehab, my car accident--all things that I will never forget, but they are all in the past, and that is where my feelings for Joy are and will stay. You are my present, and hopefully my future, because I love you, and I want us to last so much longer than Joy and I did."

"I love you too, David."

Callie and I kissed and embraced for the next ten minutes or so. It was the first time I ever saw that everything, no matter how horrible the event, happens for an important reason. Whether it results in us meeting someone important, or simply occurs to provide us with some emotional growth, every event that happens and every opportunity taken has a substantial purpose in creating who we are.

RING RING RING

"Hello?"

"David, I need you to come home right now so you can take me to the airport."

"Where are you going, Cal?"

"I'll explain on the way to the airport, but you have got to come home right now."

"Okay. I'll be there in about ten minutes."

And while everything in life has a purpose, we unfortunately do not know what the purpose is until a series of events has led us there.

David Adler

Normal High School Student

Before It's Too Late

PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN ON HIGH SCHOOL NORMALITY

"I never want to speak to either of you again!"

"David, it's not MY fault that Mark is mad at you guys."

"You know, if you can't see the point by yourself, you really have become a total asshole."

"If I had no friends, I would be looking for some reinforcements."
"You don't have any friends."
"But I have drugs."

"Mark, it was Steve's amazing skills in persuasion that led me to relapse. Have you forgotten that?"

"I am NOT your responsibility. You don't have to look after me or whatever it is you're trying to do."

"I'm sorry about my parents."
"Are they always like that?"
"Pretty much. They were getting a lot better, but they always do and then this happens."

"Mark, I know that you hate me right now. And believe me, I haven't been very positive about you lately either. But I just want to talk. Call me back."

"Are you gonna answer that?"
"Nope. I'm going to have another joint."

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"Good morning, sunshine."

It was the night after Winter Formal, and I was lying in bed (fully clothed) with my beautiful girlfriend, Callie Anderson.

"How'd you sleep?"

"Better than I have in a while. I like having another body in this bed."

"It makes me feel less alone."

We kissed and then went downstairs to have breakfast.

"So what are you going to do about this whole Mark on drugs situation?"

"There's not much I can do. Mark won't listen to me. He won't even look at me."

"But this is the time that he needs all of you most."

She was right. He did need us right now. If it had been anyone else supplying the drugs, he would have been fine, but this was Steve Weiss we were dealing with, and Steve's customers ALWAYS come back for seconds.

My name is David, and I'm a normal high school student.

And even though Mark and I were no longer friends, it was normal to be concerned about this.

On Monday morning, the students of Summit Peak High School walked the corridors exhausted from the weekend. It was not uncommon to find people dressed in baggy sweatshirts rather than the preppy brand names that generally dominate the school. Of course, there was one person who, as usual, defied the general fashion expectations.

Steve Weiss was dressed in a classy, pinstripe suit and a fedora. He was dressed like a boss, but I could see right past the facade and see him for the company bitch that he truly was. Maybe if I talked to him, he wouldn't be so eager to sell Mark drugs again.

"Steve!"

"David. What a pleasant surprise. Have you come to feed your addiction?"

"No, Steve, I've been clean for 5 months and I'm not going to start again now."

"Okay, but if you ever want to splurge a little--"

"Steve, I came over here to tell you to not sell anything else to Mark."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Remember that ass-kicking I offered so many months ago? Well, that's what's coming to you if any more addictive substances pass through Mark's mouth."

"David, David, David, don't you understand that I am not the one that seeks out my customers? They find me. If Mark finds me again wanting the goods, I have to supply them. The economy is all about goods and services and I as a supplier have to give the public what they want."

"I don't need an econ tutor, Steve, I need you to stop hurting my friend!"

"But he's not your friend anymore, David. You betrayed him. You basically left him to his own devices, and, well let's face it, he's not exactly Einstein."

"Steve, just be smart here. Leave Mark Adams alone."

As I walked away, I felt proud of myself, but the reality of all of it was that there was nothing stopping Mark from buying more from Steve, and Steve, no matter the threat, would not pass up a sale.

Meanwhile, Aaron Stanwick approached Mark, hoping to talk some sense into him and maybe rekindle their friendship.

"Mark!"

Mark looked at Aaron with that bewildered look on his face.

"This guy? Really? What could you POSSIBLY want?"

"I want to talk. Did you get my message?"

"Oh THAT? Hahaha, that was a laugh."

"I don't remember there being anything amusing about it."

"Oh it was. 'Mark I just want to talk' haha that shit's fucking funny."

"Are you high right now?"

"What if I was?"

"Seriously Mark? Why?"

"What's it to you?"

"Mark, if you're doing drugs--"

"What's--it--to you?"

Aaron looked at Mark with disgust.

"Nothing, I guess."

"Good, because it has absolutely nothing to do with you."

After choir that day, Aaron and Lupe Gonzales (the little lady that started this great big war) came up to Michael Florence and me.

"Is Mark doing drugs?"

"Hi Aaron, so nice to see you."

"Okay, let's put our personal issues aside here and talk about this."

"What's there to talk about? Mark has moved on, and so should we."

"You guys don't understand! I feel like this is all somehow my fault!"

Michael and I gave him the "No, REALLY?" look.

"I have to get to Key Club, but I'll see you all later."

She kissed Aaron and left.

"What are we gonna do about this?"

"Mark isn't friends with us either, Aaron. He's not gonna listen to a word we say."

"What if we put ourselves in a situation where he would HAVE to listen to us?"

"We are NOT locking ourselves in a room."

"No, I mean like an intervention. That's how we got YOU off of drugs."

"Actually, I made that decision on my own if I remember correctly."

"Look guys, I know that I've been a real idiot these past couple months, but you can't forget that we all used to be best friends."

"Emphasis on the used to be."

"David, maybe Aaron's right. Maybe we could stage some sort of intervention."

It sounded like it could have worked. But interventions are supposed to evoke emotion. How were we, the three people Mark hated most in the world, going to evoke any emotion other than annoyance?

"I'm in, but first, we have another person to intervent."

"Who?"

"You."

"What?"

"David's right. You have a problem, and you need to fix it."

"What the heck are you talking about?"

"I think you know, Aaron."

"Look deep inside of you and figure it out. What is the only thing standing between you and Mark's forgiveness?"

Aaron thought for a minute and finally figured out the one thing he could do to earn Mark's forgiveness.

"Okay, I'll break up with her."

"Good man."

"But I'm not happy about this."

"Is any break-up happy?"

After school, Aaron found Lupe to give her the news.

"Hey. Um, I have to talk to you about something."

"Um, me too. Actually, I should probably go first."

"Okay..."

"Aaron, I have really enjoyed these past two months, but I feel like we're growing apart, and I just need some time to figure some things out. It's not you, it's me. You are a great guy and any girl would be happy to have you."

"So, you're breaking up with me?"

"Yes, but I don't think that this is goodbye. It's just, ta ta for now."

"Wow, this is just so unexpected."

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay. I have to go now."

"I hope we can still be friends!"

"Sure, Lupe. Sure."

Now that that was over, it was time to figure out the intervention.

"Hey, the winter choir retreat is on Friday. Why not have it then?"

"That's a great idea! Except that we're seniors, which means that we'll be leading groups."

"We will have partners. We can just tell them that there will be a time period during the retreat that we will be gone. There should be no problem with that."

"Well, we don't have any other ideas, so this one is just as good as any."

The week continued. We continued our plan and Mark continued coming to school more blazed than the Beatles when they performed "Yellow Submarine". It broke our hearts to see his bloodshot eyes and his ridiculous behavior during choir, but we knew that everything would be resolved on Friday.

Friday finally came, and the three of us could not be more anxious about the events that were about to take place. We had each written letters to him that we would read aloud during the intervention. Hopefully they would evoke the emotion that needed to be evoked.

"So the big intervention is today?"

"Yup."

"What are you thinking right now?"

"That this could all turn out very badly."

"Well, think of it this way. At this point, you have absolutely nothing to lose. You've already lost whatever it is that you could have lost from this. Just try your best."

"Why are you so great?"

"I don't know. Why don't you answer that for me?"

I gave her a kiss, and then headed off to the choir retreat.

The choir room was bustling with excited choir kids wearing costumes of their favorite movie characters. Mal Wales and I had decided to dress as Winnie the Pooh and Tigger (she was Tigger) and we called our group the "Hundred Acre Wooders". At first she thought it was stupid, but I convinced her that it would be fun.

The festivities began, and Mark was obviously baked like a fresh cherry pie. He was running around, laughing at the games we were playing, asking freshmen for their phone numbers, and goofing off. When Miss Connolly gave us the command to go into our small groups, I told Mal I had to go do something.

"You're gonna leave me with all of these stupid kids?"

"You'll be fine. Just don't scare them too much."

"Okay then."

Aaron (aka Batman) and I met in the choir room while we waited for Michael (aka Wesley from "The Princess Bride) to come back with Mark.

"So how is he getting Mark in here?"

"He's telling him that all of the male seniors are doing a dance and they need to meet in the choir room at this time."

"Nice."

Silence.

"David, I--"

"It's okay, Aaron. Let's just focus on this right now."

Finally Michael and Mark walked in the room.

"Um, where are the other senior guys?"

We looked at him in silence. He had sobered up a little since the retreat began an hour and a half prior.

"What's going on?"

I allowed another moment of silence to pass before I spoke.

"Mark, this is an intervention."

"Excuse me?"

"You have a problem, Mark. And we're here to help you fix it."

"What problem? You're the ones that have problems."

"Mark, we've each written you letters explaining how this has affected us, and--"

"Affected YOU? What makes you think I give a rat's ass how this has affected ANY of you? I don't have a problem, not that it's any of YOUR business."

"We want to help you, Mark."

"It's good to want things."

"Mark, please listen to us! Don't you remember what it was like when David had his drug problem? Don't you remember how stupid you thought he was, and how concerned you were for him?"

"Things change, people change."

"Mark, you know that's not true with us. We are best friends."

"No, we WERE best friends, until you ALL decided to betray me! Well I'm sick of being betrayed! I'm sick of having friends! And I am so damn sick of people telling me how to LIVE MY FUCKING LIFE!"

Mark sprinted out of the choir room, and after a moment, we ran after him, but when we reached the door, he was gone.

"Well, so much for that."

"Where could he have gone?"

"He couldn't have gotten very far. The only place he could have disappeared to in five seconds is the stage."

But when we got to the stage, Mark wasn't there.

"I wouldn't worry about it. Wherever he is, I'm sure Connolly will find him."

"Maybe you're right. Let's just go back to our small groups."

But as soon as we were about to split, we heard footsteps in the catwalks.

"OH MY GOD!"

"What?"

"I remember freshman year he told me that his happy place was Heaven."

"Um, he'd kind of have to die first."

"No! Heaven, as in the highest point on the stage!"

"You don't think he'd go up to Heaven in his condition, do you?"

More footsteps.

"SHIT!"

The three of us scurried up the spiral staircase that led to Heaven. I had been up there only once, and it would be quite a nasty fall if one were to stumble.

After about ten minutes, we reached Heaven, and there was Mark, sitting on the metal floor.

"I'll go get him."

"No. I'm the one who started this. I should be the one to end it."

Aaron slowly walked the two steps up to Heaven and carefully walked over to where Mark was sitting.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came here to talk to you."

"Why?"

"Because you're my best friend."

"Where's Lupe? Shouldn't you guys be not having sex right now?"

"We broke up."

"What? Why?"

"Because our friendship is more important than some girl."

"Keep talking."

"I'm sorry for everything that has happened. Your escapades and sailor mouth get on my nerves, but you wouldn't be you without those things, and our friendship is incomplete without my annoyance. But you're not you right now. You started doing drugs, and if you don't stop now, you're going to have a real problem."

Aaron and Mark sat in silence for a minute before Mark hugged Aaron with tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry too, Aaron. I can't believe this got so out of hand."

"It's okay, Mark. It's okay. Let's just get down from here."

Mark and Aaron proceeded slowly and carefully back to the steps, stepped down from Heaven, and we all walked back down the long spiral staircase in time for the next big group activity.

"Where have you been? These underclassmen are going to kill me!"

"Mal, are they really that bad?"

"No, but you never know what they could be thinking."

At the end of the night, Mark, Michael, Aaron, and I all sat in the parking lot by the Prius and talked.

"What a cliche break-up! I'm sorry, dude."

"It's okay. She was too young anyway. Note to self: never date a sophomore again."

We all laughed. It felt so great to have things back to normal again.

"Hey, does anyone want to grab some coffee?"

"I'm in, but I need a ride."

"Are you ever going to start driving?"

"Not as long as I have you guys to drive me around."

So we proceeded to the Coffee Plantation, our favorite place in the world. It was a clear-cut sign that everything was back to normal.

RING RING RING

"Hello?"

"Hi David!"

"Joy? Hey, what's up? How's England?"

"Well, term ended and I'm coming home tomorrow. I wanted to know if you would want to grab some coffee on Sunday around 5?"

"Um, sure. Sounds good. I'll see you then. Bye."

Yes, it seemed that EVERYTHING was back to normal.

David Adler

Normal High School Student