marked.

Mondayz

I had stopped for a bottle of orange juice. Down the street, maybe about two blocks down, is a little corner store called Geo's. Geo's was always my favorite place to go to; especially if she needed something to snack on. The man who owns the place only goes by the name of Quinn. He is about middle-aged, with grey hair now highlighting his dark locks. Most of the time, he reletivly opens up "before the crack of dawn." He was always ready to open up, for he was very friendly and was anxious to have some customers.

"Morning Quinn." I said as I walked to the back of his shop, looking for the refrigerators.

"Hey Dani. How's it going?" He asked politely. Quinn was always concerned about my well-being just as much as anyone else's. When he first met me, I had only two or three tattoos. None of which were huge and seen, but he knew they were there. When he found out that at such a young age that I had already tattoos, I think he was more curious than concerned. He never really judged me on how I looked, so I always came to him when someone did.

"So far, it's going good." I looked down at my watch. "Just had to get out of the house early... Needed the fresh air."

He smiled softly as he took the plastic bottle of orange juice from my hand. As he scanned it, he responded, "How's the sleeping? You working on getting some more shut-eye?"

I took the bottle and gave him a dollar. "Yeah, but it's not working. So, why waste my time laying around and actually do something?"

Quinn rolled his eyes. "I get it Dani. But you need for sleep. How else are you gonna pass school? By snoring the day away?"

I took a sip from my juice and glanced out the door. I noticed that people had started to wake up and I even saw some kids from school walking around. It is only 630, but some are already up. "I don't sleep in school, promise," I said as I ran my fingers across my chest, supposedly "crossing my heart." I looked at him and smiled, "Plus, I'm doing good in school."

His lips pursed. "You sure about that? I haven't seen a report card."

I laughed a little, imagining how Quinn can sometimes act like my grandpa. "I'll give it to you when I get it... Eventually. But for now, I got to go." I said as I waved Quinn away, walking back into the street.

As I walked, slowly sipping on my juice, I got a few stares from nearby onlookers. In my cross tank top, you could see both of sleeves and part of my tattoo of a dragon that lays elegantly on my back. I even got a few people to point and whisper little words about me. Before, this used to bother me so bad. On the hottest days, I use to even wear my parka, just to make sure I was covered. But I soon realized, what's the point of hiding things that make you happy?

Hell no. I wasn't going to do that no more. If people want to start drama on things they can't control, that's their problem, not mine. So I decided to straighten my posture and walk a little more confidently down the street to my school.

I had only been a block away, when I saw a guy named Travis walking around. Oh, how I hate him. I despise him so much, freaking God himself would be EXTREMELY disappointed in me. Travis liked to consider me a target. He always loved to bug me about my tattoos. He never seemed to get the memo that he should really shut up before I pound his face flat with my bare hands.

"Yo, inky! Came for more? I know it's Monday, so I got words all lined up just for you!" He screamed as he jogged towards me.

"What's up, white boy? Got anything to say? Cause maybe I'll just have something better." I rolled my eyes as I clutched onto one of the straps of my book bag.

"Oh, really? I would like to hear some them." He tested as he smiled snyly. Oh, how I just want to leave him all bruised up, with aching body parts all over.

"How about you do yourself a favor?" I contended angerly. "You either leave me the fuck alone or you go home today with two black eyes. Got that?"

For once, Travis stood quiet. His eyes glared intensely at my tattoos more than my face. I never quiet understood why he had such a passion to hate them so much. "Whatever Inky. But this isn't over yet."

"Whatever Travis. Get on with your life or get your ass kicked. It's your choice."

And after that, he crossed the street and swiftly walked to the school. Of course, I knew this wasn't the end. I know he was going to go spill to his friends of how much of a devilish, bitch I am. Oh, well. Apparently that's life. And I'm getting to the point where I don't even give a shit.

***

School started just as fast as it ended. For every class, I sat all the way in the back, pretty much listening to endless lectures while I doodled on my notes paper. My teachers didn't really notice, for they thought I was "actively" paying attention. I know the rest of the class wasn't paying attention either, because they were more focused on what's on my skin rather than what's on the board.

How idiotic can they be? It's not like they haven't seen me before; what is so fascinating about my tattoos? How about these people actually learn something rather than being glued to my arms?

When the last bell rang, I instantly grabbed my book bag and walked out of the room. I was trying to get out of the school as fast as possible but I didn't walk fast enough.

"You're Daniella, right?" A deep voice asked quietly.

I turned around to find a tall, somewhat muscular boy standing in front of me. He had light, creamy skin and dark hair, but the greenest of eyes. He had a very lean body, but when I looked directly at his face, I noticed the lip ring curling it's way in and out of his lip. He was wearing a simple jeans, White Nike Air Force Hightops, and a black tee-shirt. But that black tee-shirt revealed things that I never thought that any other kid in this school would have. Tattoos.

I sucked in my gasp and spoke vaguely. "Yeah, that's me."

"Oh, good. I was looking for you." He said shyly, looking down. "Well, I'm Marco." He took out his hand from his pocket, signaling me to shake it. I did exactly as asked, keeping a firm grip on his hands.

"Pleased to meet your aqquaintance. Are you new here?" I asked, trying to make everything seem less awkward.

His eyes lit up. For some reason, I got a sharp pain in my stomach because of it. "Yeah, I just moved here from New York. Kinda don't know anybody. And the principal said that you are..." He looked at his pink slip, as if looking for something specific. "Daniella Shay. You're the one who's gonna show me around the school and stuff. Get to know the area and teachers."

My eyes must have grown wide, considering Marco's facial expression changed a slight bit. "Wait, the principal asked me to help you?" I asked. It's kind of surprising; principal Martins isn't really a big fan of me... Of course, it's because of my tattoos.

"Yeah," he said calmly. "She said that you're the best person to help me out."

I looked in his eyes and practically read his honesty. But what I didn't but is Prinicipal Martins' excuse. According to her, I'm a "troublemaker." According to her, I'm a "bad influence." So why pick me? Is it because of the tattoos?

"Okay." I said. "So..." I looked at him and bit the inside of my lip. "What do you want to know?"

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Hey Beautiful Monsters! How do you like the new twist into the story? How is Travis for you? What about Marco? Leave comments, read, vote.... Want to here from you!

-Lynnie