The Way Our Demons Dance

Chapter 1

Let me tell you about myself. I grew up hood. I was once a kid with big dreams had a lot of hope. I always expected high school to be like In High School Musical. Little did I know it's never like that for the hood kids. Growing up was rough. My dad was in and out of jail, I was bullied for 8 years straight, losing homies left and right, moms was always stressing, and to top shit off I'm a firecracker. I was technically forced to grow up. My oldest brother ended up with a life sentence. Can shit get any worse? Yes it can in 2009 my uncle was shot in the head on his porch. Grew up in an OG family. My mom tried to protect from the streets but it didn't quite work.  Back in elementary when the bullying started I was such a goodie two shoes. For god sake I cared so much about everyone. It was always somebody else's feelings before mine. That was until 3rd grade when I realized how fucked up this world is. My first fight was in 3rd grade. I took 2 girls at the same time twins to be exact. I ended up with a bloody nose as for the twins one ended up with a bloody nose and a busted lip and the other one who knows she spent her time with the nurse. My pops was out at the time so he figured having a father daughter talk would fix things since him and moms decided I needed to learn at a young age that I can trust and depend on them. I remember my pops telling me it's not ladylike to fight and that I shouldn't go around beating on people. So I stopped fighting for some time. But I grew up the complete opposite. My uncle showed me my first pair of boxing gloves the day I turned 6. Never thought it would be something I became passionate about. My uncle raised the bar! He trained me like a guy. The bullying continued but I didn't really care all that mattered was boxing.  I met a dude named Oscar. He became my best friend! Oscar was the average handsome scary looking Mexican cholo. Despite the 3-4 year age gap. I was 5 when I met this dude and I never thought he'd be so damn important. I was in and out of jail at the age of 13. But when I wasn't in jail the bullying continued at school. Of course nobody knew cause I ain't the type to go and run my mouth. I was depressed for a while and I started cutting. That was til the day I fought back. It was 2013 or 14 one of the two but I ended up with a broken nose! Some bitch named Cristina punched me and that's when I lost it. I just let it all out I started throwing hella punches. The dude that helped her bully me also got some too! I straight up punched him in the mouth. He started leaking. I swear it was his lip but it turns out I knocked out his tooth. I ended up expelled. It was my 5th strike so they decided I was out. That day we also learned about my anger issues and how with time they'd only get worse. When I was a kid I used to love school but as I grew up I began to hate it. When high school came around I'd ditch class and go get high. I smoked everyday 3 times a day. And when I wasn't getting high I was rapping. In high school I was beefin with a lot of teachers and a couple students. Mostly cause I'm a firecracker and bitches loooooove to test me. My anger issues got to the point where they felt like they needed to put me on chill pills but I wasn't gone be poppin pills tf this look like. I was born in Los Angeles but I've lived in Florida for 14 years. We're always around some type of hood. So I never felt out of place. I like to keep my circle small and I hate people knowing my problems. I'm a hustler as long as you don't mess with my grind we're  good. My name is Karen Martinez, I'm 5'2, Mexican (on the outside black at heart), 17 years old, and I'm a firecracker.