Story Of My Life
I woke up to the sound of the voices of One Direction at 6:30 in the morning. I
realized that it was the first day of school. I was thinking about how fast the summer
went by as I ran downstairs and ate my breakfast. After I had gotten ready for school, I
sprinted out to the bus stop at the end of my street. When we got to school, I got
together with my friend Paul and his girlfriend Isabel from the year before.
The whole morning was full of,”What did you do in your summer?” I always hated
having to tell everybody I just stayed home all summer. It was just annoying answering
all the questions people would ask.
We started the day off with math. Worst way to begin a first day of school. Miss
Williams handed out math textbooks that we would have to lug around for the rest of the
year. At least we were in twelfth grade so we didn't have to drag stuff around next year.
As I strolled in the cafeteria at the beginning of lunch, I noticed all the rest of the
football players were sitting at the cheerleaders table. I walked over to the table we
usually saw that I would sit with the other footballers and the girls but I was afraid they
would laugh at me. My best friend Paul came over and sat down next to me. He asked,
“what's wrong?”
I answered, “I just don't want to be laughed at from messing something up.”
He said let's go sit with the others and grab my arm. He half carried me half
dragged me to the rest of the footballers.
When Paul shoved me into a bench. A cheerleader, Carrol walked over and sat
down next to me.
She said “Hi Win how was your weekend?” All I wanted to do was get up and run from
the table, but something made me stay with the rest of the group. Carrol was a
cheerleader. She always somehow seemed to be beautiful. Her golden blonde hair was
in a ponytail. She was always in a good mood.
I answered her question with a, “Good, how was yours. She started talking about
how she was visiting her cousins I sort of lost her family reunion. I was paying attention
to her voice. She had a soft sweet voice. Paul snapped to me back to reality.
“Win we have math now!”
After school, I walked home. On my way, I ran into Carrol. She said she had
something to tell my mother we walked in silence for a few minutes I tried to station twice
finally she said, “fine, I just wanted to see you I don't need to tell your mother anything.
At that moment Paul drove up.
He asked, “Do you want to ride to the mall?”
questioned, “Why would I need a ride them all answered,
Win, everyone is at the mall right now the dances tomorrow to have to shop for
clothing.”
Carrol said, “I totally forgot We drove in silence for about two minutes when Paul
broke the tension.
“So, do you want me to pick you up in about two hours that will give you time to
eat dinner too. We agreed happily and he dropped us off and drove away. The mall was
filled with others from the school shopping for dresses and nice shirts for the dance The
next day. I wait outside the dressing room when Carrol tried on the dress. She stepped
out to ask if I like what Carrol tried on the dress. She stepped out to ask if I like what she
had chosen.she had chosen a white dress that was down to her ankles. I totally agreed
because she looked even more beautiful than ever. We stopped at KFC for dinner. Paul
pick us up around 6 o'clock and drove us home.
He dropped Carrol off and then me. I stayed up till about midnight that night. All
the time I wasted shopping sort of caught up to me. The next day, everyone was talking
about the dance. I have no idea how I missed the news. Paul had to help pay for the
dress that Carrol had chosen. It cost about $300 so I was so glad that he payed for me.
Paul drove the entire football team to the dance the next day. He picked Carrol
and I, up at around eight. He drove up to my house in a shiny black Audi. He was driving
himself Carrol and I, and his girlfriend, Isabel. we got to dance and all the rest of the
team, same time. We walked in together. The room was dimly lit with the exception of
one corner of the room that court it was completely dark. We barely noticed that Paul
snuck off at some point. Later on, the party started. The dark space in the corner of the
room, lit up all of the sudden. Paul, was standing behind who is topoftheline DJ set,on
a makeshift stage.
After a couple hours of his DJ said, he turned on a waltz.I have no idea why on earth he
had a waltz on his computer anyways. Carrol asked, “do you want to dance.” I didn't answer so
she just grabbed my hand and placed it on her shoulder blade. I had actually took lessons on how
to waltz. I cuffed my hand on her shoulder and corrected back’s posture. She held her right palm
up and I greeted it with my left. She placed her left hand on my right sleeve. She stepped a tiny bit
to my right and we started to dance. I started to lead and we danced for what seemed to be
forever.
Those were the best few minutes of my life. Those were also the last minutes of
the dance. Paul, had to run off to some other party. It gave me a chance to walk Carrol
home though so I didn’t mind.We sat on her front porch for at least an hour and talked.
Right as I started to leave she grabbed the back of my shoulder and turned me around
and hugged me. I did my best return to hug. I had no idea it was coming. That was the
worst timing ever. Her sister, Rachell stepped outside she was holding a plate of cookies
so I'm guessing she was going over to some other party. She dropped the plate and
slammed the door. We heard to lock click. Carrol sat down on one of the benches and
started to sob. I sat down next to her and did my best to comfort her.
The next day, I didn't see her at all. I knew she would be at the football game
after school since, she was a cheerleader. I just saw her on the sideline during the
game. I was looking at her face trying to figure out what was wrong. I was too focused on
her to see a member of the defense of line on the opposing team to be coming at me.
He hit me with full force and I went flying. I went flying. Hit face first into the goalpost.
Something cold and hard hit me in the forehead. Something wet was running down my
face. A sheet of red covered my eyes. I heard voices yelling and then a soft sweet voice
that I would know anywhere. I think I blanked out after that.
The next thing I knew, I was in the hospital. I tried to sit up and folded sharp pain
in my school. I fell back into the bed. I thought I saw something in the corner of my eye. I
turned my head to the right and so Carrol sitting there next to my bed. She looked up at
me, and type something in on her phone. She greeted me warmly and handed me a
Bag. She said, "sorry, we couldn't get much of your helmet back." I don't contents of the
bag out on my lap. I saw a pile of shards. They were covered in dry blood but I could still
tell that they were from my helmet. They were black with a white metal guard. I picked up
the guard and saw it was bent in the middle.
Um, Thanks? I muttered.
Carrol said, “Danny lewis, number 17, actually threw you across the field at his
goal. You did score a touchdown technically. Anyways, he got another foul and was
thrown out of the game. You couldn't of done anything. he looked like a human wrecking
ball.”
I looked at the calender and saw the date. It was december 2nd. It was 9 days
until Carrol birthday. I tried to get back up but she rested me back into the bed. About a
week later, I left the hospital with Carrol. Paul drove up at just the right time. We climbed
into the back seats of his car. I asked, “So, Carrol. What was wrong the other day.” She
answered, “um, Win? You were out for about two weeks. I was so surprised but I had no
time to ask.
We stepped out of the car in front of Paul’s parents mansion. We walked in. We
took a left into the ballroom. All the lights were off. They suddenly turned on! all of the
team and all the cheerleaders were there! Ray, the fullback on the team, handed me a
golden trophy. I apparently won the game from the technical touchdown.
We all just danced for a few hours. I never noticed how large Paul’s parents
house was. The party dispersed around 8 o'clock. Carrol and I walked home together.
We sat down and I asked again about what was wrong. She said, “Win, my sister
disapproves of you. She says you're not good enough for her sister.
We just sat on the porch and talked. Her parents were out of town for the
weekend. I really couldn't believe I was out for that long. Rachell walked out at the
perfectly wrong time. Carrol whispered to me “You should probably go now.” Rachell
walked up to me as I stood up to leave. She reached for her pocket and pulled out a
small can. She aimed it at me and shot a orange mist into my eyes. My eyes stung and I
realized she hit me with pepper spray.
I staggered to a chair and fell into it. I heard yelling and wondered what
happened. I heard Carrol scream and the door slammed. I think Rachell dragged her
inside. Carrol walked back outside a few minutes later. I still couldn't see well. She
helped me up. We walked to the side of the road. She called Paul and asked him to
drive us to my house.
I asked what happened. She said, “Rachell dragged me inside and told me I
shouldn't be around you, That you're not good enough for me.” I got out at my house.
We sat on my porch so I wouldn’t get more hurt. Paul stayed to make sure I was O.K. I
asked if they wanted to go to the movies. They both agreed.
The next day we drove to the movies. Paul brought Isabel too. We sat in an
almost empty movie theater. Carrol and I sat together in a row when Paul and Isabel sat
a few rows back. When the movie was over, I walked to Carrol’s porch with her and said
goodbye there.
Carrol and I called each other after I got home. She just seemed to be happily
chatting when I heard a door open in the background. I heard carrol question,”Haven't
you heard or knocking?” in the background.
I heard another female voice that I think was Rachell’s say,”Yes I have. Who are you
talking to.
Carrol said,”I have to go I’ll see you later.”
The next day I Looked at the calendar. It was december 10th. One day from
Carrol Birthday. I didn't know what she would like. We had only been dating for about 3
weeks now. I wanted her to have a good present from her boyfriend. I decided I would
take her to the mall and let her decide.
On the 11th day of december, I drove up to Carrol’s house. I had to borrow a
nice car from Paul. We Drove to the mall and went in. We stopped at a theater just to
catch a good movie. After that, we stopped for lunch at her favorite restaurant, Dip n’
Dip. We sat talked and ate. I asked, “Baby,I, I wanna know? What you think, when
you're alone? Is it me?” That got us both laughing.
We walked out and went to a shop. She looked at jewelry and asked which
choices I liked. She chose a diamond necklace. It was beautiful. It seemed more
beautiful because she was wearing it.
I drove her home and dropped her off at her porch. I drove the car back to Paul
and walked home. When I got In my parents seemed really excited. They said as I came
in, “Win! We got job offerings in germany. We have about a month here!” I was shocked.
I said “That's great!” But then I realized what I was leaving behind. I could still call all of
my friends. there was a 9 hour time difference but I would not be able to talk face to face.
At school the next day I broke the news to all my friends. We decided not to let
that make us get depressed. We all took a week to plan the biggest going away party in
worcester, arizona history. We took another week to set up every day after school. We
turned the main hallway into a room of banners. The ballroom was cleared out and we
stocked the closet filled with sleeping bags for the girls. We did the same to the living
room for the boys.
The next day in school, We put up about 30 posters and handed out at least 40
flyers each. That is, Paul, Isabel,Carrole and I. We had it all planed out. We would throw
a two day party. We would still go to school but live at Paul’s house for the rest of the
time. Paul’s parents were out of town for a business trip so we had to call them and ask
if it was ok.
They said It was fine as long as we cleaned up. We all drove to Paul’s house
after school on friday. When we got there, he was waiting on the front step. We walked
in and set up minor things like drinks and other snacks. He had about 5 closets cram
packed with food and multiple fridges just for drinks. He could survive the end of the
world with that stash. We got guests coming at around 6 pm. We ate and talked until
Paul busted out the Stereos and dj set.
That night, we just stayed up all night and jumped around. It was amazing. The
next day we all went to our places to check in with our folks. Then we just partied in the
daytime. He had blinds that would pretty much make the house pitch black. It was just as
good. That night we did the same thing except we all went to sleep at around 3 am. The
next day at school we had something set up for me too. There was a speech in the gym.
Paul walked up on stage. I swear That kid did everything. He checked the mic
and said, “In seven days, we will be losing one of our most loved and inspirational
students. That student is Win Montgomery. He did so much for this school athletically.
He was also one of the most motivational inspiring people I have ever met. I don't see
how this school will function without him. Sure, he will fade in time but I, personally will
never forget that kid. I am sure many of you will feel bad about the loss of this excellent
student. He was more than just a boy on the football team. He was a friend. To all of us.
Because of him, we all learned something. Some people in life, will never be forgotten,
and he is one of them.”
He walked off stage and the crowd seemed to love it. They were clapping and
cheering. Paul walked up to Carrol and I. I didn't realize he kept the mic. with him. He
raised it and said, “This student will be gone soon. Chances are, we don’t see him
again.” Hh held my arm up in the air. “So , make sure he has a good last week..”
The weeks were some of the best of my life. The students planned one last
football game just for me. We had two other schools come over on the weekend. We
played both of them. We won every game we had.
The next day, Carrol invited me over to dinner with her family. I was afraid it
would be awkward because, well, they were her parents for goodness sake. I went
anyways, for Carrol.
That night, I walked over to Carrol’s house. I knocked on the door and her dad
opened it. He said,”Ah, you must be Win, I’ve heard so much about you, come in.”
I shook his hand and said “Hi, I've wanted to meet you for a while!” I walked in
and Carrol strolled over to greet me.
She said, “This is so exciting that you finally get to meet my parents!” We walked
into the living room where Rachell was watching TV. The glanced over at us and turned
away. She made the rest of the evening a bit strange because she didn't talk at all.
At dinner, Carrol’s dad inquired, “So, Carrol, Are you and Win, Um, Serious?”
She looked surprised and sort of yelled,”Dad, not now!” Again, It was surprisingly
hard for me not to laugh.
I decided it was fine to laugh when Carrol’s parents did. I felt a bit bad for her
because she seemed really embarrassed. She looked like someone dumped a can of
paint on her she was blushing so much.
Finally, My family had to move. I spent my last hours in worcester with Carrol and
Paul. We went to the mall together. We all just talked and promised we would email as
soon as we could. I knew I would not see them again for a long time. My parents drove
up to the mall and let me know It was time to go. They turned around and said,”The car
is outside, we’ll let you say goodbye.”
I got up and turned to my friends. Carrol was crying a bit. She was trying to hold it
in, you could tell. I didn't know, Really, What I was doing. I bent down to her and kissed
her on the cheek. She stopped for a minute, and looked up at me. She just stared into
my eyes for a few intense seconds. You could see the shock in them. She then grabbed
the front of my shirt and pulled my face close to hers. She kissed me full on the lips. I
was shocked but then just decided to accept her love. I closed my eyes and returned the
kiss.
We both broke away at the same time. I looked to Paul and said,”Look, you
better make sure Carrol doesn’t take this too hard. And also, Take care of Isabel.” I then
walked out and didn’t look back before things got even more complicated.
As I sat in the backseat of the car on the way to the airport, all I could think about
were those moments where time was frozen. When Carrol expressed her true feelings
for me. We boarded the plane and took off. I went to sleep on the flight and all I dreamt
about was Carrol. We arrived in germany and went to our new life.
About a week after we moved, we got a vonage phone working so I immediately
called back home. Carrol was so overjoyed to hear my voice and I was just as happy to
hear hers. I spent at least two hours on the phone. At the end of our little talk I said,”Bye,
love you.” After I heard myself say that I almost punched myself.
On the other side of the phone, I just heard giggling and she replied,”Love you
too.” That made me blush. We said your goodbyes and hung up. I knew what college
she was shooting for so, I started to apply for them.
About 3 months later, at the end of the summer 09, I checked the mailbox and
found a small letter addressed to me from GSU. I sprinted back inside and opened the
letter. The letter was to inform me that I was accepted into the school! I was so excited
that I couldn't sleep that night. I called and asked Carrol and Paul if they had gotten in,
and they had. I said,” That's great guys! I said. “I got into a german engineering school.”
I lied
Two weeks before the next school year, I took a plane back to the small town of
Worcester. I just stayed in a hotel because my parents stayed in Germany to work. I
didn’t tell anyone because I wanted it to be a surprise. I called back to Germany a lot to
talk to my parents. I also called Carrol and Paul.
I packed and left the next day. GSU was in the same state but on the other side.
It took about 5 hours to drive there. My parents dropped me off and I went to sign in. The
woman behind the desk handed me a cafeteria pass and my room number. I did request
a specific roommate so I may of gotten him.
I walked into my room ,112, where my roommate was sitting on his bed typing
something out. He looked up to say hello and saw me. “Wait, What is going on here? I
know I was getting a roommate but you moved!” At this point, he was freaking out. The
person sharing a room with me for the next four years was Paul Darian Brakman. He ran
up to me and gave me a giant bro hug. “Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?”
All I said was, “Oh, I just wanted to surprise you!”
The dorm we were in had the girls and boys separated by a wall. To get to the
other side, you had to walk out and take a left. He said,” you'll never believe who's in the
room right next door to us.” We walked out and knocked on door 113.
There was a familiar voice that said,”One minute, and Isabel opened the door.
Her eyes seemed to grow about three times the normal size. She yelled back into the
dorm,”Um, Carrol? I think this is for you”
Carrol asked ,”Who is it?
Isabel said, ”Come see for yourself.
At that point I was having trouble containing my laughter. Carrol walked to the
door and looked out. The face she made was priceless. She couldn't seem to talk she
was so surprised. “I’m Baaaaack!” I said. She jumped into my arms and embraced me
with a hug.
“This is amazing!” she exclaimed as she rested her head on my shoulder. We still had
time to arrange our schedules so we all chose the same classes at the same times so
we decided we would.
The first day, We all traveled in a small group. except at our lockers, Carrol,
luckily was two to the left of mine. Paul and Isabel had theirs next to each other. We
were walking and exploring the school on one of our scheduled days off. We were
walking by some of the football team in this new school. One of the players walked up to
me and said,”Hey you four are new right? Welcome to GSU. I’m mike, If you need help
with anything just go to my dorm. number 110.”
“Wow, that's near ours!” said Paul. Mike said to us,”for your safety, I advise you
stay away from the human wrecking ball, Danny. I looked over and at once recognized
him. Danny lewis. The boy from that one football game. The boy on the defensive line
who nearly killed me. He was walking down the hall towards us. he saw me and
laughed.
“Hey everyone! Look its that little pipsqueak I owned in that game. He walked up
to me and said,”Your face looked better when it was covered in blood and no one could
see.”
Paul stepped up and told Danny to “Buzz of jerk” and that caught his attention.
Danny turned and grabbed paul's shoulders. He held Paul up against a locker and asked
in his harsh raspy voice,”What did you say,freak? Ah I recognize you too. You were one
of the people to help that wimp off the field.” Isabel was screaming at danny to stop.
I grabbed Danny’s shoulder and spun him around. He punched me full in the face
and I felt my lip bleeding. I fell to the ground and Carrol rushed over. At that point we had
a small crowd of people with off days. Mike ran over. They both asked, “Are you alright?”
at the same time. All I said was,” Why is it always me?” I stood up and he punched me
again. He still had one hand on paul's chest pinning him to the locker I just let him hit me
over and over to show that he would get no reaction from me.
He hit me so hard that I heard my jaw crack. Paul was struggling to get away.
The first person to hit back was not me or paul. Isabel walked up to him and punched
him in the nose so hard it started to bleed. Funny he was about two times the size of any
of us. Mike ran over and tried to calm him down but it didn't work. He dropped paul and
started chasing me. I have no idea why it was me he was after but it didn't matter. I ran
as fast As I could to the dorms. I closed and locked my door. I held onto the key and
climbed out the window. It was only two stories high so I just jumped. I had been doing
parkour since I was 12 So, I could easily jump out of a second floor window.
Later on Paul, Isabel Carrol and I walked back to the dorms. I was still tense
because I thought Danny could be around. We decided to go off campus and watch a
movie. Of course, Paul drove some fancy car there. We went for dinner after the movie.
We stopped at the Dip n Dip in town. It reminded me of when we were just in high
school.
Paul and I decided not to join the football team because we Didn't want danny to
kill us on the field. The next weekend, Carrol and I went on a little date. we walked into
town at around 6 o'clock and ate at TGIF. It cost me a bit much. Carrol and I went to the
arcade after that. When we got back. It was around 12.
The next weekend, we went out again to some italian restaurant. Later on in the
year, the dance came around. I asked Carrol If she wanted to go and she agreed
happily. We showed up at the dance and I can tell you it wasn't like the movie things. It
was calmer thankfully. Paul wasn't the Dj for the first time in forever. Paul. Carrol,Isabel
and I didn't dance much.
The next day Danny seemed to be in a bad mood.He waited right outside our
door to, no doubt, beat us up. We had to use the window to get out. That kept up for
four years. The dances and other dates with Carrol. After four years, we were on our
own. The four of us stuck together anyways. We rented apartments right next to each
other. We would go everywhere together.
A few weeks after college, Paul and I walked to a jewelry store and bought two
rings. I Took Carrol to an italian restaurant and paul took Isabel. We sat at different
tables so we could have some private time with our girlfriends. Carrol and I danced after
dinner. It was a place where they would play music for couples. We both went out to the
balcony and sat down. We talked for about an hour.
I said to her,”Carrol, you have always been my friend, and in the past four years,
we have become more than just friends. We both know each other's feelings are equal
for each other. All my life, you stood by me. I love you Carrol.” I reached into my back
pocket and pulled out The ring I had bought. I then asked “Carrol, will you marry me?
And yes, I just quoted one direction in a marriage proposal.”
She gasped and started to get teary. she said, “Win we have been friends for so
long and you are right about me loving you too. I was always hoping that you would ask
me that but never thought that it would come true.” She threw her arms around my neck
and jumped into my arms and said,” Yes, Win, I will marry you. And I like how you
worded that.”
We took about six months to plan the wedding. On the wedding day, Carrol
Walked down the isl in a beautiful white dress. It must have cost a fortune. I didn't help
her shopping for some reason. I don't know why, maybe I just wanted it to be a surprise
what she chose. After the wedding, we drove to our new house.
I went on to become a dog trainer and Carrol decided to become a vet. We
adopted three dogs to live with us. We lived in Worcester geargia for the remainders of
our lives. Paul, became my nextdoor neighbor after he married Isabel. We would all go
on big trips to different places. It was pretty fun. I can't believe, I went from that shy
football player who wouldn't sit with the girl he liked, to the man who married that girl
from highschool. /