[Hidden with a Smile.]

❺

"Come on, it'll be just for a coffee, you haven't come with us in a while!" Joey begged, putting on a sappy puppy dog face. A few girls laughed at it as we passed them by the school's front gate.

"I don't know guys, I have a bunch of homework an--" I tried to find an excuse, but Dean cut in.

"Ah, you can do that crap later. Come on, hanging out with the whole gang is better!" Dean said, as he nudged my shoulder.

Desiree and May looked at me with pleading faces as well. After a while of thinking, I gave in.

"Okay, okay, I'll go!" I told them, throwing my hands up in defeat.

"Yes! It'll be funner with you there!" Desiree said, smiling happily.

All of our little "posse" (that words annoying but it's the only way I can describe our group) cheered. "Come on, let's follow the yellow brick road!" Joey remarked, as he jokingly skipped ahead, leading the way to the cafè. "We're off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of...cappuccinos and mochas!"

We all laughed at his merriment, following him to the coffee shop.

*･゜ﾟ･*:.｡..｡.:*･'《＊》'･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･

After we left the cafè, I began walking home. Everyone had parted ways, everyone except for Dean and May who lived in the same direction. I believe it's near 8' o clock, I'm not sure. I don't know how it took us so long to finish our coffees. As I walked down the moonlit pavement that led to my apartment building, I looked up towards the dewy sky.

The moon was full, and brighter stars were beginning to show. It felt peaceful, and I was fortunate for that. Whenever I reach home, it seems I get anxiety and depression right as I step through the door. My only escape is school, otherwise I wouldn't enjoy it as much. Sometimes I wish I could just walk,...and walk,...and walk, and just keep walking until I'm far enough not to see any buildings or cars. Then after I reach that area, I'll begin sprinting into the field or woods I've reached. And I'll dash through the land until my legs are numb, until I crash from my frantic speed.

But, as much as if want to, I know better than to run from my worry, and I definitely don't want to be like my father and run away from my responsibilities. I'll be stronger. Stronger than my father, my mother, maybe even my grandmother. I'll never surrender to my weak thoughts.

I climbed up the complex's stairs and unlocked the door to my mother and I's apartment, solely stepping into the dark living room. I noticed there was a light on in the kitchen, and began walking over to it. As I turned the corner, my mother was sitting there, seeming distressed by something. I peered at her from the kitchen's doorway, not knowing whether I should try to ask her what's wrong or ignore it.

"Mother, I'm home..." I said softly. She turned swiftly and looked at me as if I had just broken into her home.

"Where've you been?! Your school lets out at 4, you're usually here by 4:30! What the hell took you so long, were you screwing around with a guy?!" My mother yelled at me, her face turning red. I watched her with shock, then after soaking in her words, my mind acted on it's own.

"...Wait, did you really just ask me that? Where have I been? When have you EVER cared about that?! Where have you been? Where have you been through my childhood? Where have you been when I'd fall and scrape my leg and cry out to you? Where have you been every damn night?! You don't have the right to ask me those question at all! I've tried to take care of you, but you've never tried that for me!" I exclaimed at her with rage, tears pouring down before I finished.

My mother seemed to not enjoy my words so much, because her face was full of fury. "Get out of my apartment, NOW!" She screeched, pointing towards the door.

"Well, technically I pay all the rent and bills, so this is my apartment. But I'll be glad to leave, it's better than being here" I said bitterly, grabbing my bag and dashing out of the door. It was just my luck that while I was in that wretched apartment, it had started drizzling outside. After a while of running through the streets, the drizzle had turned into pouring rain.

"Ah, crap, my outfit, I need to give it back to Ms. Castillo later." After remembering this, I ran over to a small alleyway, taking shelter under the rooftop gutters. I tried to steer clear of cars when they passed so I wouldn't get soaked by the splash of water from the wheels, but it was a bit inevitable. My face was still streaking with tears, and I could feel all my head swirling around.

After a while, I felt myself becoming drowsy from the emotional shock. My vision was blurred and I felt as if I was in a hurricane. I dropped to the ground, sitting precariously on the wet sidewalk. My strength had left me.

Even though most of my senses were weak, my hearing was keen. I heard the rain's drops becoming bolder and bolder, and the swift cars rushing through. Through this, I heard a faint voice. I couldn't understand anything the person was saying, but his voice seemed familiar. It was soft but reassuring. After trying to focus on just his voice, I finally could understand his last sentence he said.

"Take my hand" he ordered, putting out his palm. Feeling as if he was my only chance of salvation, I took it right away, and he picked me up, carrying me quickly down the road.

The only thing I felt after that was the warmth of his chest

+<><><~≪＊≫~><><>+

A/N:

Heyo everyone! I'd like to thank you all for reading this story! I felt like I started it sorta awkwardly, but it'll start picking up pace soon hopefully. I know I don't update much and most of my chapters aren't so long, but i hope you're enjoying this story! I love you all, and please bare with me!

ARRIVEDERCI~

-Olives