Dark Angel // Alex Gaskarth

Chapter Twenty Four: I Am Beautiful With You

Chapter Twenty Four: I Am Beautiful With You

Song: Beautiful With You by Halestorm

I thought I was finished with this story... but apperantly not.

Angel~

"Adonde vas? (Where are you going?)" Is what my father asked as I began walking towards the entrance of the front door. It's been almost a year since I moved into this home with my father, his wife and my half-sister, Jasmine. I could have left months ago, but I chose not to leave. Only for two reasons; Jasmine, and the simple fact that I didn't have enough money to move into a decent home.  

The economy here in Mexico is a lot more difficult than back in the states. Two dollars in America buys you a pack of gum... maybe, but two dollars in Mexico buys you two sodas and a bag of chips. But earning money is a lot more difficult. Over the summer, I managed to get a job at a local grocery store. Each week, I get paid an estimate of seven hundred pesos, which roughly estimates to about seventy U.S dollars. It's not much, but it sure is better than nothing. 

"I'm going to go get some milk from the store," I answered. Thanks to me, we had ran out of milk twice this week. Of course, my father had refused to buy anymore milk, so I had to use the money coming from my pay check to buy milk, bread and things like that. I don't really mind though. At least this way, I don't have to feel guilty when I finish an entire jug of milk or a loaf of bread.  

My father nodded, returning his attention to the soccer game that was currently playing on the television screen. It's difficult to tell where the relationship between my father and I stand. Before, I couldn't even be in the same room as him or his wife, but for Jasmine's sake, I've managed to be able to hold a civil conversation with him. I still talk to my mother on a daily basis. I miss her, but there's not really anything I can do to see her again.  

I opened the front door and stepped outside. Walking down the pathway, I pushed the front gate open and began walking in the direction of the grocery store. I pulled out my headphones from my pocket, along with my IPod as I continued walking down the lively street. A few of the neighbors greeted me with friendly smiles and waves. The entire neighborhood and a good portion of Sahuayo knew the Alvarez family, which -unfortunately- also includes me. Not that I really mind though. A lot of the people here are much kinder than the people back in Baltimore.  

A few more minutes passed by before I finally reached the grocery store. The familiar scent of raw meat and vegetables greeted me as I entered the small shop. The clerk, and my co-worker, Manny, sent me a happy wave once he saw me enter the store, a happy wave which I gladly returned. I walked through the isles of the store, my eyes ignoring the spicy candy and chips as I walked past them. My attention keeping on the only reason why I came here in the first place; Milk. 

After grabbing the carton of milk from the refrigerator in the back of the store, I walked towards the counter. Manny was now singing along to Vicente Fernandez, the music playing through a small grey stereo he had set on the counter. We made small talk as Manny slid the carton of milk over the scanner. As Manny was handing me my change, the sound of the bells from the door rang, signaling that someone had entered the store. Thanking Manny, I grabbed the carton of milk and began turning around. What I saw- 

No... Who I saw caused my face to turn white, as if I had just seen a ghost, and it was almost like I had. The carton of milk slipped from my hand, dropping to the floor. Before anyone could say anything, I bolted for the door, not taking a second to look back. Ignoring his pleads for me to stop, I continued running with all my strength, wanting to get as far away from him as possible.