I Had to Go | Teen Ink

I Had to Go

October 3, 2009
By KaraTaylor DIAMOND, Neptune, New Jersey
KaraTaylor DIAMOND, Neptune, New Jersey
81 articles 17 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
"life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments"

"experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes."

"be as you wish to seem."

"it's better to be hated for what you are, than to be loved for what you are not."


It was just me. In a crowd of people. My mind set off in the distance. Over the rainbow, as Dorothy would say; but not in good thoughts.

"MISS!"
I was up.
"1 ticket please"

45 dollars later, I was underground smothered with wind, screeching and noise.
I got on the fast moving underground transporter, took out my cell phone and began to write down important numbers. People I wanted to say good bye too.
Where was I going? I wasn’t sure. I was, but I wasn’t.

Rewind. -45 minutes earlier-

Sitting in the principal’s office, police behind me resting their assertive hands on my shoulders, I felt the sweat drip off my temple. How could they think it was me? A straight A student. High honors, extra curricular activity freak doing twice as much community service as a normal human being. It wasn’t me. But I couldn’t explain the evidence. The principal came in. I knew him. He knew me. Soon as he saw my face,

"You’ve got the wrong girl"

"The gun was in her locker. Her prints all over it." the police officer replied.

"Is this true Lila?"

"I didn’t do it!" I was crying. "I don’t know how it got there. I don’t know how it had my prints. I loved him. Why? how?... how could I..." I drowned in my own tears.

"In the school of excellence, there are no excuses. The evidence points to you. Take her with you. I will notify her parents." the principal spoke in disbelief and sighs.

Roughly, the officers pulled me up and out of the room; I was allowed to get my stuff from my locker on one condition...they kept it with them. They ducked my head as they pushed me into the flashing light car as the whole school starred out the windows; even of the third floor.
It wasn’t me.
They got a call. A robbery. They had to respond. They were short staff. A light bulb went off in my head.

They get out, I get out. Somehow.

We get there and like I expected, they had to unlock and get out. Guns raised, they crept up to the broken glass. I snuck out the opposite side of the car, grabbed my stuff through the window and ran quickly but quietly. I was somehow calm when I ran down into the subway station. Maybe because I thought I got away.

-Present time-

I had to switch lines. I got off and went up to the street. From here, I was best taking a train. I was so lucky I had the $300 for my yearbook, gown, and T-shirt with me. Plus I had about $35 saved up from un-used lunch money from the past couple weeks. I dumped by bag, and cell phone in a dumpster. I kept the list of important numbers in my pocket. I would find a pay phone and call them then.
I got a map and found the train station.
Minus another $45 and I was off to Brooklyn NY.
I got on the train. Another light bulb went off. I remembered this guy I met. His name Andre. He lives there. He has a place. I had written down his number.
I turned to the woman next to me and asked if I could borrow her phone. She gave in to the tears running down my face. I got up to the bathroom and locked the door. I dialed his number.
RING

"Hello?"

"Andre, its Lila. I need your help. Please."

"Of course, what is it?"

"I am coming. Right now. I need a place to stay. I can explain the rest when I get there. Just please, tell me your address so when I get to Brooklyn I can get a cab straight there."

"Baby, what is going on?"

"Just please. I will explain later."

"Okay okay. Its 102 12th Ave. apartment number 35. I will buzz you in."

"Thank you." I hung up sobbing.

I returned the woman’s phone and sat down. She asked if everything was okay, and I told her I just had to call my brother to tell him I was going to be late. And that I thought he was going to be mad. She said okay and that was all for our conversation until our goodbyes when we got to Brooklyn.
I stepped onto the busy street there and called a cab. I got in, read the address and off we went. Fast and furious through the crazy streets. We pulled up and I knew I was in a dangerous place. But I would rather be here than being at home in jail for a crime, a gruesome horrific crime, I did not commit.
As I walked to the door, 3 bigger guys with tattoos and cigarettes approached me. I walked faster.

"Why don’t you come with us?"

I ran to the lobby.

I buzzed his apartment and he buzzed me in.
I climbed the 3 stories to his floor. I ran into Andre’s arms. My heart was pounding, my mind still somewhere over the rainbow.

"What is going on?" he pleaded to know.

I told him everything. About the principal, the police, the robbery, the creepy guys outside the apartment.

"I mean, how they could think I killed him. I loved Joey. He was my everything. just because he cheated and left me and the fact that I was a hot mess over it does not mean I shot him and then buried his body in that cooler in the park. I can not even think about it without a chill going down my spine. I have never touched a gun and I never want to. I know it has something to do with those guys and that war they had with him. The guys hit one of his friends with their car, and ever since there has been a war between the two groups. But why frame me? The innocently crushed ex girlfriend?" I broke down. Again. For like the millionth time since I got there.

He hugged me tight, rocking me back and forth, whispering how it is all going to be okay.

The first sign of comfort since that last kiss before Joey and I broke up. Before the war went too far. Before I was framed for the murder of my love.

Before my 14 year old life fell to pieces…


The author's comments:
this did not happen to me. it was inspired by previous reading, and other things. the "put yourself in their shoes" kinda thing.

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This article has 9 comments.


on Jan. 15 2010 at 12:33 pm
KaraTaylor DIAMOND, Neptune, New Jersey
81 articles 17 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
"life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments"

"experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes."

"be as you wish to seem."

"it's better to be hated for what you are, than to be loved for what you are not."

it is called "I Had to Go (seqeul). it was just accepted a couple days ago, so if you click on my name and look at all my works, it will be there :) (it isnt as good as the first, as many writings are, but i would love to get some feedback :)

KellyR GOLD said...
on Jan. 14 2010 at 2:22 pm
KellyR GOLD, Richmond, Virginia
14 articles 0 photos 258 comments

Favorite Quote:
We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.

what is the sequel called?

on Nov. 3 2009 at 5:51 pm
KaraTaylor DIAMOND, Neptune, New Jersey
81 articles 17 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
"life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments"

"experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes."

"be as you wish to seem."

"it's better to be hated for what you are, than to be loved for what you are not."

okay. yesterday i posted a sequel. so just a couple weeks and i will notify you :)

but i am unsure if it is as good as the beginning.

a more followed through story is titled My Baby(s): a story about boys.

now this is true. it all really happened. and it is followed through if you want to check that out. i am not sure if is the kind of article you would enjoy, but give it a try :)

Maxine. BRONZE said...
on Nov. 3 2009 at 7:31 am
Maxine. BRONZE, College Park, Maryland
4 articles 0 photos 13 comments
Thank you ! [: I can't wait .

on Nov. 1 2009 at 4:18 pm
KaraTaylor DIAMOND, Neptune, New Jersey
81 articles 17 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
"life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments"

"experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes."

"be as you wish to seem."

"it's better to be hated for what you are, than to be loved for what you are not."

okayy thankss sooo much for the feed back... i will start on the article tommorrow during 4th period :)

i will probably send it in tomorrow too so give it a lil bit nd i will be sure to notify you if you would like when it gets accepted :)

Maxine. BRONZE said...
on Oct. 30 2009 at 5:28 pm
Maxine. BRONZE, College Park, Maryland
4 articles 0 photos 13 comments
I agree. You should have a sequel because this story is good, so far, i'm anxious to know what happens after she's in New York.

on Oct. 26 2009 at 11:39 am
KaraTaylor DIAMOND, Neptune, New Jersey
81 articles 17 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
"life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments"

"experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes."

"be as you wish to seem."

"it's better to be hated for what you are, than to be loved for what you are not."

okayy thank you :)

on Oct. 25 2009 at 3:51 pm
hollybell13 BRONZE, Brunswick, Georgia
2 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
"If your upset, then you just haven't had a glass of my sweet tea."

You should do a follow up.

on Oct. 24 2009 at 3:17 pm
KaraTaylor DIAMOND, Neptune, New Jersey
81 articles 17 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
"life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments"

"experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes."

"be as you wish to seem."

"it's better to be hated for what you are, than to be loved for what you are not."

okay, for anyone reading this, should i make a follow up article or make this the start to a longer more detailed story? could i have feedback??