When I came back to Alhambra High School, I was the returning hero. I had a bit of legend status as the guy who moved off to faraway dreamland and got to attend school there with all the rich kids and Hollywood models.

Most of the kids from the town I grew up in are still there and have never left. That is why it was somewhat unusual for someone to leave and then return with strange tales of mystery and excitement.

One of my buddies from California graduated and decided to attend and automotive tech school near where I lived. The apartment they put him in was literally next to the high school. Since I often bought the beer, my buddy gave me a key to his apartment. This was a great honor and not unlike having my own apartment at sixteen years old. I was always welcomed there and we had a lot of parties. I had a car, I had a job, and I had a place to hang out. I was never very popular but I got along with a lot of people so I had lots of friends or acquaintance. It was nice to be back in familiar environment and back with my best friend whom I've had some amazing adventures with.