Chapter 0, Dwayne Cadman

High School wasn't anything overly-impressive by New York standards, but to hundreds of Manhattan students, from eight-to-three it was home; whether they liked it or not. It was three stories in height with a predominate box-like shape colored gray and tan with red accents, and covered all the basic classes high school forced you to live through as well as some extracurriculars mixed in. School started just after labor day and seemed to drag on for seven hours, five days a week, but solace could be found in the fact that around the last week of June, school would end before a two-month break.

It was currently the last period of the school day on Friday, which meant the weekend was right around the corner, and all that stood between Cascades High's student population and freedom from the establishment of education known as high school, was one last class. The class was filled with students from all walks of life, ethnicities, and genders, their attention solely focused on the Social Studies teacher that held dominion over this final hurdle.

"Settle down, students. Settle down," the man spoke over the animated chattering of teenagers eager to see the weekend. "I know that summer vacation is only a week away, but we still have a few more assignments to take care of before school lets out." At that, the class's student population groaned. Dwayne sat in the back waiting patiently for school to be concluded, unlike his peers.

"Yes, yes, I'm well aware you want to be out those doors to do... whatever it is young adults do with their time," the man said adjusting his glasses. "How about I give you a light homework assignment, and if you can get it on my desk before final bell rings, I'll consider cutting you loose from last period and send you home early starting next." With that announcement, the students cheered, the patient student in the back picking up similar cheers from the room behind him. Apparently more than one teacher was thinking on the same page, almost like it'd been choreographed just so the underpaid instructors could all get their students out of their hair all the faster. "I see everyone is in agreement, so here's what I want you to do," the teacher said as he wrote a single word on the blackboard behind him. AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

"Either write or type a synopsis of your life up to this point, more than six paragraphs in length, double-spaced with 12-point font in Times New Roman, and I won't accept illegible work. The library's computers aren't being used at the moment, so if you hurry, you'll be able to finish with time to spare," the man said checking his watch, the throng of students pouring out the side doors and into the hallway.

"I'm surprised you're still present. Planning on writing shorthand, Mister Cadman."

"No. I'll just make use of the computers behind me," he said jabbing a thumb at the quartet of computer work stations behind him, completely overlooked by the rest of the students in their haste to get out of class early.

"Very well then, proceed," the man said sitting at his desk pulling out paperwork.

"Very well then, proceed," the man said sitting at his desk pulling out paperwork

Dwayne Cadman

The Autobiography Of Dwayne Cadman.

Most people in general will think their lives are bad, but that's only because they focus on what they don't have but want. Of course, I'm not that much different, but what I don't have is a little more lasting than the newest phone, or the latest shoe brand, or even the nicest car in the parking lot. I'm just your average 16 year old kid, there's nothing that memorable about me. I'm a foster child, I never met my real parents and I probably never will know what it feels like to meet your kin. My foster family is treating me like I was their own though, they're the only ones who did.

I got juggled from one family to the next to close to a decade. I got to meet a lot of interesting people, see some new places, and made a couple friends along the way, however I've lost contact with most of them throughout the years. That was probably for the best though, since none of the arrangements were ever permanent, with things derailing one way or another. I've been adopted by drug addicts, crazies, and generally disgusting human beings.

The family I have now was my lucky break. My foster father's name is Jacob Cadman, he's a tall man with dark skin and green eyes. He's an FBI agent and works in the bureau in Manhattan. The old man has one hell of a bullshit detector that can put Wonder Woman's lasso to shame. Karin Cadman long blonde hair and piercing , is a wonderful wife and mother, she works as a real estate agent in Queens. Sarah is my "innocent" younger foster sister, she was only 6 when we met for the first time. She's tolerable at least though tends to be annoying at times as a normal little sister should be.

n summary, my life's pretty good right now. Three square meals a day plus desert if I so choose, satellite TV and DVR, my own video game console albeit used, and a few peers I can call "friend", but none in this particular class. There's a hint of vulgarity in the house, but it's spread all around, and after being put through the ringer like I have it isn't anything remarkably new. Sophomore year is almost done and summer vacation is right around the corner, so that's just about my whole life up to this point...more or less.