Just like any high school student, I was excited to graduate and have what I would liken to a nightmare end. Even though I was excited, I was also incredibly worried. I didn't know if I was going to graduate. I had missed most of freshman and sophomore years that I failed nearly every class.
No, I was not out skipping class. I was actually at home taking care of my siblings. The adults that were supposed to be around pulled me out of class to babysit very often and I often missed due to staying up wondering when those morons would return home so I could sleep knowing that they didn't get killed in a bar fight somewhere, so I eventually gave up on my dreams.
Before going into high school, I told myself that I was going to get straight A's and be able to study abroad in Japan.
Because of my lack of attendance, my grades suffered dramatically and, like I said, I gave up. I felt that because of my dad and his girlfriend being selfish as always, I couldn't do what I wanted.
And then I was sent to a therapeutic group home. I really hated it there, but at least I had time every day to do my homework, which I was not used to. The habit of studying after school carried on into my next foster home where I aged out. It definitely paid off, because I did end up graduating, even after all those nights tearing my hair out and not letting myself sleep for fear that I forgot some of my homework.
That last week of school was the most stressful for me. I visited the councilor every day to make sure that I was going o graduate, and no matter how many times he assured me that nothing in my records indicated that I wasn't going to, I couldn't help crying my worries out to him every day.
I was terrified. I only had junior and senior years to finish nearly all of the classes required to graduate, and I crammed with online classes and extras, adding summer jobs in for credit. It all worked, and I passed out as soon as I got home.
The next step for me after that was looking for a job because us foster kids aren't really allowed to stay with our foster parents after we turn 18, so we're basically tossed out into the world with no know-how for anything.
I graduated. I still can't wrap my head around that and it's already been almost three years!
I had a lot of goals growing up, a lot of which never really came to fruition because of my lack of support. I didn't have the loving, doting parents that believe that their kid was the best thing there was. But at least I got to fulfill a few of them, and the rest I am still working on.
I guess I was feeling nostalgic, or maybe I just wanted to remind myself that I really can do what I set my mind to, and that worrying myself over it to the point of staying awake for several days isn't necessary, because I can, and I will.
And you can, too.
Alice Elric