I remember the lockdown that first sent me to juvy. The clang of the metal doors echoing in my ears, the isolation forcing me to confront my choices. A year of my life shaped by mistakes, all under the tutelage of a fluorescent-lit cell. They let me out with strings attached, two years of probation, and a condition that felt like the heaviest weight of all: no technology.


My first moments of freedom felt surreal. I took a deep breath as I stepped beyond the threshold of the juvy gates, leaving behind the sterile smell of uncertainty. I wasn’t going to waste time making up for lost ground. I knew exactly what I wanted: to dive headfirst into the world of gadgets and technology I had missed so much.

When the probation period ended, it was as if the world had opened up again. I could hardly keep my hands away from the screens, each device a portal to possibilities. My best friend, Raven, was always by my side, encouraging me to explore more. She had been a beacon during my dark times, stable and resilient, though I often saw the fatigue etched on her face from caring for her little sister while wrestling with her mother’s demons.


Raven was my anchor. With her mother frequently lost in the bottle, it was Raven who cooked dinner, helped with homework, and settled the smallest of fights over princess dolls. It pained me to watch her carry such burdens alone. So, I devised a plan, one that was intended to lighten her load, to give her the opportunities she deserved.

Using my skills—a side effect of that year in juvy, a time when boredom gave birth to creativity—I hacked into the school’s system. It was simple enough; just a few strokes on the keyboard, and I could change grades. I didn’t alter the scores much; Raven was naturally bright, but it felt vital to ensure she had no barriers holding her back. Girls like us had to stick together.


As Raven’s grades improved, so did her spirits. She began to believe she could escape the confines of our small town, share her talents with the world—just as I had emerged from the depths of my own challenges. But, not everyone in our lives was so naïve.