The Gang Leader's Girl

6. Evil Teenage Boy.

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

- Barack Obama

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I laid in bed late that night thinking about Rose's words, about opening myself to people. I don't understand why I have such trouble letting people in. I guess that's partly the reason I started writing in my journal because I didn't trust anyone with my secrets. And maybe that's because I don't want someone seeing me that vulnerable. Maybe it's because I'm scared if I start pouring myself out, I won't know how to stop. Or maybe it's because I know everyone in my life is temporary, foster parents, friends, teachers, neighbors, and even family.

I remember going to school after my mother died, I was in the second grade, I told my best friend at the time about what had happened. I still remember the tears that formed in her young eyes as she repeatedly told how sorry she was. And even with me being that young, I decided then and there I wasn't going to tell anyone about my life, and so I didn't. I didn't need people's apologies. I didn't need people feeling sorry for me. What I needed was my mom back.

The only person I ever told my thoughts to is long gone, and not coming back. And I'm okay with that. At least, that's what I had thought before now.

I closed my eyes, trying to force myself to sleep, but it felt like my brain was going 100 mph.

One sheep, two sheep, three shee- who the hell am I kidding? That's never going to work.

Groaning loudly, I grabbed the pillow that was resting next to me and covered my face with it.

Go to freaking sleep Mia.

I stared blankly up at my dark ceiling, my mind racing with thoughts. My internal clock completely and totally screwed. Especially since Colorado is two hours behind from New York, where I previously lived.

I closed my eyes for the nine hundred and ninety-ninth time, finally feeling the drowsiness seep into my body when suddenly my walls started shaking. Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi started ringing in my ears from the room across from mine. Axel's room.

Oh, C'mon!

I sighed irritated. Who plays music this late? I'll tell you who, evil teenage boys that's who. Doesn't he understand how disrespectful that is? How would he like it if I blasted my music this late?

I jumped out of my bed, whipping the covers off me in the process. I marched over to my door, flinging it open. At this point, I was completely berated.

Who does he think he is! Has he no respect?

I stomped right to Axel's room and pounded on his door. Oh boy, did I have a few words for him.

But his music was playing so loud that my pounding went unnoticed. Taking it upon myself I wrapped my fingers around the cold metal doorknob and twisted it. I pushed the door slowly, peeking through the crack. The courage I just had before washing away. Do I really want to wage war with Axel?

No Mia, you can do this. What's the worst that could happen?

I shook my head agreeing with myself, It's time to take some initiative and stand up to my monsters. And in this case, Axel Deacon was my monster. A very mysterious and strangely attractive monster but a monster nonetheless.

I swung open the door fully, ready to give Axel a piece of my mind but immediately got stopped in my tracks.

"WOOAAAHH WE'RE HALFWAY THERE!" Axel had his hand balled into a fist, acting like he was singing into a mic.