Struck by Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal (19 page)

I always knew Malerie had had a rough life, but I’ve never once asked her about it. Maybe something good will come out of my extended stay in Clover. Maybe I can finally be as good a friend to Malerie as she’s always been to me. I guess I was so busy trying to get people to hear me, I never thought about listening.

I had one more box of magazines to pack for Grandma’s home. Before I taped the box shut, I picked up a copy and flipped through the pages. For the first time since I completed it, I felt a strong sense of pride at seeing all the work of my peers in my hands and knowing I’d inspired it—illegally, of course, but I had influenced it nonetheless.

I smiled to myself and shook my head. Perhaps I’ve been so busy dwelling in my own sorrow I forgot about what I actually accomplished? I successfully published a literary magazine filled with the thoughts, concerns, hopes, and dreams of my jaded high school peers.

If I can do
that
, surely I can do anything, right? It’s proof that the sky is the limit.

“The sky …” I said to myself. I immediately jumped behind my computer and began typing. I had one more story to add to the magazine.

I printed out copies of the story once I was finished. I opened all the boxes and put the new story in the front of every copy of the literary magazine. It also acted as a dedication of sorts:

To Grandma:
Once upon a time,
there was a boy who
flew
.

I don’t think the magazine could have started any better. And seeing that in the front of my magazine gave me a feeling I’m not sure I’ve ever felt before; I think it made me
happy
.

Yes, unfortunately we live in a world where the pretty, the popular, and the wealthy sometimes prevail over the rest. And yes, sometimes people and circumstances get in the way of achieving your dreams and seeing your visions all the way through. And yes, if
you hold an advantage over everyone else while you’re out there trying to get there (intelligence, creativity, or drive), people will always try to bring you down that much more.

But if I let
those
types of people bring me down, the people too pigheaded to encourage the good I’m trying to spread in the world, then I’m not as smart as I think I am.

From this day on, I refuse to let anyone bring me to a point where I can’t take a horrible situation and spin it into
something
beneficial. I will never let anyone make me feel anything I don’t want to feel again or rob me of the passions that make me who I am.

Does it suck ass that I have to spend another two years in a town full of people who hate my guts? Absolutely. Am I going to hate every minute of it? Probably. But I’m also entering a brand-new campus with absolutely nothing to lose and no friends to make.

Hell hath no fury like a journalist with nothing to lose. Just imagine the editorials I’ll have to submit to Northwestern the next time I apply!

Even if I never get out of Clover, even if I never get into Northwestern or write for the
New Yorker
, even
if these are just delusions occupying my time, thank God they are, because a life without meaning, without drive or focus, without dreams or goals, isn’t a life worth living.

And after learning that, I may have made the greatest realization of my young life, and it reminds me of that conversation I had with Malerie all those months ago.

Like having a great idea,
life
comes at you fast. It hits you and tries to escape and be expressed in any way possible. In a way, it’s a lot like…
lightning
.

Speaking of which, I think I hear a storm coming. I should head home before it starts to rain; I seem to have misplaced my umbrella.

CHS STUDENT KILLED,
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

ERICA PLOTKIN

March 16, 2013

CLOVER, CALIFORNIA—The body of Clover High School senior Carson Phillips was discovered in the student parking lot the morning of Friday, March 16. According to the coroner’s report, Phillips was killed when he was struck by a bolt of lightning during the storm in the late afternoon of Thursday, March 15.

“I think I speak on behalf of all the students and faculty when I say Carson was an absolute joy and he will be missed,” Clover High principal Barry Gifford said in a statement to the local press. “There wasn’t a single person on campus who didn’t love the guy.”

“We were best friends,” said fellow senior Remy Baker. “It’s so sad to think we won’t see him walking through the halls anymore.”

Although no one in Phillips’s family cared to comment on the tragic passing, after many attempts by local reporters the deceased’s mother, Sheryl, finally had this to say: “I was reading that lightning is a negative charge that comes from the friction clouds carry. Since opposites attract, I would like to think that he was so positive the moment he died—so happy, he pulled that bolt right out of the sky. I don’t know if that’s possible, but that’s what I believe.”

A service will be held this Sunday at the Clover Community Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Clover High Writers’ Club.

Acknowledgments

I’d like to thank Rob, Monica, and the entire Aguirre family. Without them,
Struck By Lightning
would still be a screenplay on my shelf.

I’d also like to thank:

Brian Dannelly, David Permut, Steve Longi, Jason Berman, Mia Chang, Lawrence Kopeikin, Mark Moran, Chris Mangano, and Romy Rosemont.

The incredible cast of the film, including Allison Janney, Christina Hendricks, Dermot Mulroney, Rebel Wilson, Polly Bergen (I love you, honey!), Angela Kinsey, Sarah Hyland, Robbie Amell, Ashley Rickards, Allie Grant (Allie, I think you’re beautiful, sorry Carson hates Remy so much!), Matt Prokop, Carter Jenkins, Graham Rogers, Charlie Finn, Brad William Henke, Ginifer King, Adam Kolkin, Luke Lewis, Lauren Lopez, and Amy Nabors.

Bobby Bukowski, Bridgette Kelley (my spirit animal!), Wendy Chuck, Linda Burton, Tia Nolan, Kyle Burch, Drew Ann Rosenberg, Christopher Wolfe, Aaron Penn, Denise Paulson, Brian Steven Banks, Heidi Hanson, Suzanne Houchin, and the rest of the spectacular
SBL
crew.

The Little, Brown team, including Alvina Ling, Bethany Strout, Megan Tingley, Andrew Smith, and Melanie Chang, and everyone at Tribeca Film.

Last but certainly not least, the members of my own team, Rob Weisbach, Alla Plotkin, Erica Tarin, Meredith Fine, Derek Kroeger, Heather Manzutto, and Elizabeth Uhl. And a very special thanks to Glenn Rigberg, the biggest
SBL
champion, who made it all happen.

Also, Oprah, Madonna, Queen Elizabeth, Jennifer Saunders, and Woody Allen…because I can.

Permut Presentations and Camellia Entertainment

In Association with
Inphenate

Presents
A film by
Brian Dannelly

Chris Colfer Allison Janney
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
Christina Hendricks

Sarah Hyland Carter Jenkins Brad William Henke Rebel Wilson Angela Kinsey
with
Polly Bergen
and
Dermot Mulroney

Casting by
Anya Colloff & Michael Nicolo
Score Produced by
Christophe Beck

Original Score by
Jake Monaco
Costume Designer
Wendy Chuck

Production Designer
Linda Burton
Edited by
Tia Nolan

Director of Photography
Bobby Bukowski
Co-Producers
Monica Aguirre Diez Barroso Steve Longi Mark Moran

Executive Producers
Jason Michael Berman Chris Colfer Glenn Rigberg Lawrence Kopeikin

Produced by
David Permut Roberto Aguire Mia Chang