Torn into Pieces(Rewritten)

I was in my room, packing for the boot camp my mom is sending me to. She probably thinks it'll "fix my attitude" or some crap like that. As if yelling at me and then shipping me off is going to make me suddenly become some obedient little angel. Yeah, right. Don't get me wrong, I love my mom, but I seriously question her decision-making sometimes. Like now, for instance.

She's acting like she doesn't even remember why I always hate every guy she dates. It's the same story every time. She meets some smooth-talking dude, falls head over heels, and then it's like I don't exist anymore. They take over. They all do. Gary is just the latest edition to the never-ending parade of wannabe alpha males. I'd give it a month or two before he shows his true colors. You know, the kind where he turns out to be a douchebag.

The worst part? She doesn't seem to get it. She acts all shocked and upset when I call Gary what he is—a wannabe millionaire who's only with her for her money. Is that so hard to understand? Half the men she's dated were with her for her money or just wanted her for sex. It's like she's walking around with blinders on. So, yeah, maybe I have an attitude. But that's not the real reason she's sending me away, and we both know it.

I called out Gary for what he is. That's why she's pissed. I'm not about to sit around and pretend like I don't see what's going on. I mean, the guy's name is Gary. Like, come on. Who names their kid Gary? That's a name you give to a snail in a cartoon, not a human being. No offense to any Garys out there, but seriously, it's just so... I don't even know, pathetic?

I zipped up my bag, cramming the last of my clothes inside. Great. Off to boot camp I go. A few weeks of being screamed at by some drill sergeant, running through mud, and listening to a bunch of other kids whine about how they don't want to be here. What a joy. As I headed downstairs, I could already feel the heat of irritation boiling in my chest. Gary was probably down there, clinging to my mom like a leech. He always seemed to be around her, never giving her any space. It's suffocating to watch.

Sure enough, when I reached the bottom of the stairs, there they were. Gary was practically all over my mom, his face pressed up against hers, making out like they were some hormonal teenagers. I gagged inwardly. "Could you at least wait until I'm gone before you start slobbering all over each other?" I said, my voice dripping with disgust.

They both jumped at the sound of my voice, and my mom blushed like she'd been caught doing something wrong. Gary just stood there, looking like an idiot. I rolled my eyes. "You ready, baby?" she asked, trying to sound all sweet and motherly like she wasn't about to ship me off to some hellhole for the next few weeks.

I didn't even bother hiding the eye roll this time. "Yeah, sure. Since you're so ready to get rid of me." I walked toward the door without looking back. But then I heard it—a sound that made me pause. My mom was crying. I turned around and saw tears running down her face.

"Seriously?" I said, exasperated. Was this her way of guilt-tripping me?

"I don't want you to leave, baby," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "But I can't handle this anymore. The teachers at school can't handle you either, Ace. You're too much for everyone..."

I didn't even know what to say to that. I wasn't in the mood for another lecture. I walked out the front door and headed for the car, slamming the door behind me as I sat down in the passenger seat. I stared out the window, my mind racing. As they walked out a few moments later, I glanced back at the house. Goodbye, home. I'm going to miss you.

But not them. Not Gary, for sure.

I was now standing in a line full of boys, waiting for this hell to begin. Half of them were already crying, which made me want to laugh. Seriously? Crying on day one? What a bunch of crybabies. I tried not to roll my eyes for the hundredth time today.