Why can't people just be NICE to each other. - Why indeed? But they never have and they never will, unfortunately people and the world are not made like that. Theya re probably wrong and you are probably right. Maybe you could be curious about them rather and fearful?

forced to either go to school or get a job - What do you want to do?

without being able to control one bit who I end up having to spend my days with. - is that quite true? You can choose your friends at school and you can change jobs.