Welcome to Gang Life

•10•

I'm currently at my job serving tables at Cafe Ginger the coffee shop I work at after school. It's Sunday today and all I can think about was how yesterday my...brothers left so quickly after Derek got that phone call. Questions were swirling in my head.

Who the hell is Ace? Is this Miguel guy okay?

Wait a minute. My minds trying to tell me something important, but I can't seem to remember. I quickly wipe down a table and think.

I've heard that name before. Ace. Memories from my past come running in my mind. I gasp and quickly hold the edge of the table to keep myself from falling. Flashes of blood invade my memory and a man grabbing my waist whispering soft comforts in my ear clouds my sight. He talked about him once. He being someone from my past. Someone I wish I could forget. Ace was apart of some type of group, but I can't remember what. I remember because he told me once about him. I don't think his name is Ace thought that's just what he prefers to be called. His name is Aspen I think. Who knows.

God I can't remember anything anymore. I stomp my foot on the ground and head to other customers taking their order with a bright smile on my face each time to get a better tip.

It's exhausting pretending to be okay when you're not. Pretending to be someone you're not. That's my everyday life.

" Hey April it's 4:30 now you can go home," my manager Clark calls out from behind the counter.

God I fucking hate him he's always creeping up on people and gets on my nerves constantly. But he's my manager so I can't exactly tell him to fuck off.

" Okay thanks,"

I go behind the counter and into the bathroom reserved for employees and change out of my server attire and back into my ripped jeans and oversized sweater. I head out and walk out the door humming randomly to myself.

" Hey Pumpkin,"

I jolt back and look behind me to see Jake with his stupid charming smile.

" Don't fucking do that asshole," I say and lightly push him.

" Sorry, but your brothers want to see you," he says.

" Is it urgent?" I ask.

" Um no?" He questions contradicting himself.

" Then I can see them later...I need to take a nap," I mutter.

He raises his eyebrow at me and I continue walking. He jogs to catch up with me and stands in front of me walking backwards so he can talk.

" They'll be upset if you don't come now," he tries to reason.

" I don't see the big deal I wanna take a nap I'm tired sparky," I mumble.

" Sparky?" He asks.

" If you can call me Pumpkin then I can call you Sparky," I yawn.

We continue walking and quickly my apartment complex comes into view and I dash in ready to welcome the comforts of my bed.

" Why are you still following me?" I ask.

" I'll just wait for you to take your nap then we'll go together to see your brothers," he replies.

" Do whatever you want sparky," I mutter.

I run up the stairs and go in front of my door, putting my keys in. When I open the door Jake just welcomes himself in.

" Why of course you can come into my house," I mumble sarcastically.

" Why you're very welcome," he chuckles winking at me.

I roll my eyes and quickly head to my bedroom putting away my shoes and purse in my closet.

" What am I supposed to do when you're sleeping?" he whines.

" You don't need to stay here," I try to reason to make him leave.

" I have to if I come back without you then they'll be pissed," he replies back.

I scoff. " Just watch T.V or something...oh and wake me up after an hour!" I shout.

" Yea yea okay miss sleeping beauty!"

I quickly change into some shorts and just an undershirt and welcome my bed. I relax in and soon sleep takes over me.

" You're different April..." Jake faintly mutters standing in the doorway, but I'm fast asleep to notice.