By: Diane H.

 

 

“Good morning class!! What have you done this weekend?” “Oh, oh oh I know!!!” Lilly called, umm well me and her never talked never will. Oh, and my name is Mia, Mia Rose. I HATE middle school all those weird kids, bleh, I like staying home and playing games with my big bro, Noah, he’s in college, he’s 19 years old, and I’m fourteen. “Yes, Lilly would you like to share something?” this is my language arts teacher his name is Mr. Simpson he’s a nice teacher and a nice man, I met him at the golf course multiple times were kind of friends but my dad and him are best friends. “This weekend I’m going to the beach, I’m throwing a beach party and everyone is invited!!” Everyone was cheering and happy except me. I knew what was goanna happen after class. (After class.) “Hey Mia I need to talk to you for a minute.”  “What is it.” I didn’t need to ask because I already knew what she wanted to say. We only talked if she wanted to tease me or be rude. I had one friend; his name was Josiah. “I just wanted to tell you that-ewe, what’s wrong with your clothes?” “What’s wrong with it?” I looked at my clothes I was wearing. I was wearing a oversized gray sweater (that went up to my knees), with white ripped jeans. “It looks like you got it from the dump.” She laughed, I just stood there a fended, I never understood her, but I guess I could understand a little, even though I still wanted to cry. This is how it happened. When I first started kindergarten, I went into the same class as Lilly, when I first went in, I was scared, and shy, I didn’t want to talk to anyone at all. I moved from Alaska to California, when I first went in to my class it was the middle of March. I remember I had to stand in the front of the class room, which I still don’t like doing, but even so, I introduced myself to the class. After class, we went to reses, I sat on the bench looking at all the students, all of them had friends except me, I knew moving wouldn’t make any difference. Then I saw a guy come near me, he looked like he may be a couple months older. He smiled at me and held out his hand introduced himself. He said, “Hello, my name is Josiah, and I want to be your friend.” His smile really did comfort me though, I took his hand and mumbled this. “My name is Mia Rose, and I want to be friends too.” Even though I never knew him he looked like a good guy. Till then, me and Josiah have been best friends, we hanged out a lot, and then one day came. “Hey, are you perhaps Mia?” I turned around; Josiah looked up. “Sorry to interrupt you guys, but can I hang out with Mia for this reses, I really wanted to meet her, but I’ve busied with clubs and stuff.” I looked at Josiah, he smiled, then looked at Lilly, and spoke. “Alright, you guys have fun I’ll go hangout with my other friends.” I looked at him, he looked at me, then looked back at Lilly. As I watched him walk away, I looked back at Lilly. I introduced myself, then she scoffed. I just looked at her blankly. “I’m not being mean I’m just introducing you to reality.” I started to get tears dripping from my eyes to my checks. “I want you away from him if I see him with you again, I’m going to end it.” I was crying when she left, I sat on the bench, cried till Josiah came running, he held me in his hands, he hugged me and whispered to me. “It’s ok, I’m here, don’t cry, shh.” His voice comforted me, I cried even more I didn’t want to let go of our friendship just because of a girl that likes him. I decided to stay with Josiah, I wouldn’t care if she hated me. I stayed very close to Josiah he said I was acting like a kid I looked at him. “I am a kid, am I not?” “I meant you are not acting like yourself, ever since that day when you were talking to Lily, you know if something is upsetting you, know you can tell me. I’m always here to listen to your problems, ok?” I nodded remembering what Lilly said I hugged Josiah as I cried. “There is something bothering me but if I tell you I’m afraid you might be in danger.” I hugged him even tighter and cried even more. Nobody saw us because we were in our secret area. He held me tight, put me on his lap. He looked at my face with his glistening eyes my eyes filled with tears he wiped away. “I know how it feels to be scared foe someone you care for.” I remember this happened in fourth grade we went to class I felt much better. “Ok class settle down today we are going to learn about area and perimeter.” (after class, lunch time.) It was lunch time the worst time for me I only sat alone Josiah always hangs out with his other friends so at lunch I’m alone which makes me comfortable except the part where everybody bully’s me. Today was different the rest of the year was different. I was just eating lunch and suddenly I started to cry I didn’t know why or what was wrong with me. I felt someone’s face on my shoulder. “your crying again maybe I’ll have to sit next to you for the rest of the year, can I bring my friends?” it was Josiah he pulled my hood off my head. He sat down next to me smiling he wiped the tears off. I smiled back at him, “I’m fine this is the only time you get to be with your friend I don’t want to break that from you I’m fine ok.” “like I said before I can bring them here so we can all be together.” “Hmm I still don’t want to disturb your time with your friends I mean there all boys, right?” “Right, but still when I’m with you I have a lot of fun, I also have fun with the others when you put it together it’s like a whole lot of fun.” He laughed, which made me smile, I smiled because I knew the person, I cared for was happy enjoying there life more than me, a better life. He started to shout, “Hey guys come over here this will be our new spot!!” All their heads turned over to us, I hurried and put my hood up but Josiah put his hand on my hood and pulled it back. He smiled. “You should take your hood of more often your cuter that way.” My eyes glistened as I heard those words I smiled and hugged him tight he patted my head I heard footsteps and a voice. “Hey, who’s she? Your girlfriend or your friend?” “Friend, a very close friend.” I stopped hugging him and looked up and looked at the faces. “Hey, I’m Jayden it’s nice to meet you umm.” “Mia, Mia Rose it’s good to meet you Jayden.” “It’s nice to meet you to. This is Kai, William, James, and it seems you’ve already met Josiah. I guess Josiah wasn’t kidding when he said you were adorable.” “Huh, Josiah talked about me.” “All the time, he said you were a fragile yet a risk taking young and cute girl.” I blushed very hard I looked like a strawberry. “It’s true once you know her, huh why do you look like a watermelon, Mia?” I just stared at him. “Huh oh right ugh I’m fine. Come sit and have lunch with us.” “Oh yes I’m so hungry.” “But we didn’t bring lunch we just got here.” “oh right, man I’m so hungry.” “It’s ok I have food I can share with you guys I’m not hungry anyway.” “Are you sure you didn’t even have breakfast you can share with me if you want.” “I’m fine, don’t worry your more, hungry.” “No, I won’t eat unless you eat.” “Josiah, don’t pick a fit, just eat I’m fine.” “Then I’ll make dinner, ok?” “Fine.” He gave me a smile and kissed my check. “You sure, you look hungry?” “I’m fine, just eat don’t worry about me.” He sighed. “ok.” I smiled at him. He smiled at me. I watched them eat. I wiped Josiah’s lips. He smiled. I went to through trash away. I always went home with Josiah because I was afraid of bully’s and getting hurt. So, he always told me to not be afraid and stay on the side walk, but soon he had to walk home with me his home was on the way so he came with me eventually. I was hugged him before I went in, as a thank you. He always patted my head, I always smiled I went inside my house one day, but when I went in my mom looked very angry I knew this would happen my spoiled sister always told mom lies and I couldn’t do anything my mom favored my sister she never loved me. She always hated me she once said I was nothing just a pathetic little sick o. I cried in my room when I went to school I tried to hold my tears but I couldn’t I cried during lunch. “What’s wrong Mia you’ve been crying for two days now. Just tell me I want to help you.” He hugged me. “if you want to help me, tell me this, do you have an extra bed or room?” “I do, why what are you trying to say.” “I’m going to stay at your house, I’m going to run away.” “I won’t try to stop you, but are you sure?” “I’m very sure meet me outside my house, and did you say your mom’s a nurse?” “She is why?” “I may need her.” I realized all my scars and bruise’s and the thought of dad, where was he this whole time. I knew he was my only true family I trusted him till the end and I still do. He made me this promise when I was four. “Even when I’m gone, I’m always her in you and I love you, stay safe for me.” I remembered everything so I will fulfil that promise to my father. I grabbed Josiah’s hand he gasped. “I promised my father something to my father so I will fulfil it for him.” I felt tears drop down my check. Knowing the person who I loved and now is gone I cried I let go of Josiah’s hand and fell to my knees sobbing. Josiah kneeled beside me, I felt his warm arms around me he lifts me up on his back, and soon I fell asleep on him. When I woke up, we were at his house I was in his room he was studying. He saw me awake he walked across the room, I sat up on his bed. I looked into his eyes, his blue and teal eyes. I always loved them I thought they were cute. “How do you feel? Are you feeling better?” “Yeah, I think so, but we have to go back home, now.” “why is that?” “I forgot about Noah.” “who is Noah?” “He’s my big brother he always makes me feel better. I can’t leave him there I never would leave him, never.” It got quiet then he finally said something. “Then you stay here, and I’ll get him I think I met him before.” “ok, but promise you and him will come back to me ok” “ok” I saw him leave, I went to the kitchen I saw Josiah’s older sister helping make dinner. “Woah, Josiah always said you were beautiful but I never thought you would be so pretty” I thought I said that in my head but it came out anyways she turned around and saw me. “Oh, thank you, my name is Jessica. What’s your name?” “My name is Mia I’ one of Josiah’s friends.” “Oh, I see you’re the girl Josiah always talks about and that your staying here, is that right?” “Yes” suddenly I hear someone returning home. It was Josiah with Noah. I ran to hug him, my older brother safe with me. I started to cry and he patted my head lie what he always did when I did something good. He had his smile he always had that made me smile except he looked really tired, he looked like he hadn’t slept for days. “Are you ok, Noah?” “Oh, I’m fine, just really tired that’s all.” “Come on, you should sleep.” Josiah led Noah to the guest room, while Noah was slumping on my shoulder. When we went in the room, we unpacked our stuff. Josiah, and Noah left the room so I can change into clean clothes. I looked through my clothes and decided to wear a stripped black and white shirt with black overalls over it. When I came out Josiah, Jessica, and Noah laughing talking and playing games. Soon Josiah saw me looking I try to look away and pretend that I just came out and didn’t know or see anything. But he called out to me, “Hey, Mia come join us!! Want to play this game with me and Noah he told me you really like it.” I blush and walk over to them then I see Josiah blushing too. “You look cute.” I blush even harder, “Thank you.” He chuckles and grabs my arm pulling me down next to him. He kisses my cheek and hands me a controller. We play and I win, every round. “Wow, I’m impressed your like a champion, Mia!” “Thanks, I’ve been playing since I was four years old, I was taught by the best, Noah” “Ha-ha, thanks sis.” Noah gave me a small wink which made me smile. Then I felt Josiah’s lips on mine, I blush hard and then I pull back, I can feel my face burning up turning red. Then Noah and Josiah laugh. “Sis, why are you so red, are you a tomato or something.” Then Jessica came back with drinks and snacks, “Dig in everyone.” “Thanks sis” we take a biscuit and a drink. I bite into the biscuit and it tasted amazing like some perfectional made it. “Wow, Jessica I didn’t know you could make such delicious food!” Her face now has a bright smile on it. “Thanks, I learned from my mom…” She suddenly got quiet and I could see tears in her eyes. They slid down her cheeks, Josiah and I look at each other. “Is she ok?” “No, actually our mother is in the hospital she got sick a few months ago so we took her there and apparently she had a very bad illness.” I could see his eyes tear up as well, I walked across the room in front of him tears start rolling down his cheeks. I bent down and hugged him tight. I kissed his cheek, he kissed mine. Then Jessica started talking again, “I wonder how she’s doing.” “We can go visit her today, I’m very sorry I asked I had no idea.” “No. It’s not your fault, you didn’t know.” The door opened and four guys came in with black mask. “Hi, Jayden, Kai, William, James.” “Hey, Josiah, Mia.” “Hey isn’t that Noah Rose, the guy who helped us out earlier today.” “Hi, so you recognize me, that’s good to know.” “Yoh, why is Jessica’s eyes look like she was crying, did something happen?” “Nothing just worried about, our mom” “Oh right sorry…” There was a long awkward silence. Then Jessica finally said, “We should get ready then if we want to visit mom.” “Your right, Mia you can change first.” “Ok.” I walked down the hall to the guest room and I heard foot steps behind me and I turn around, it’s Josiah. “Oh hey.” He sighed, “Hey brighten up, you don’t have to feel bad you didn’t know that’s why you asked, right?” “Right” “Exactly you didn’t know so you asked and you did nothing wrong so brighten up your cuter that way.” He gave me a little wink and I blush, I walked toward him and hugged him tight. He patted my head I didn’t want to let go but I did. He gave me a smile and I smiled back at him. I turned and kept on walking till I found the guest room. I went into the room and rummaged through my stuff and I heard a knock on the door. “Yes, who’s there?” “It’s me, Josiah.” “Oh come in.” He opened the door and when he saw me, he smiled. “Did you find anything to wear?” “No not yet.” He walked closer to me and handed out a pair of ripped jeans and a black sweater. “You can wear my clothes; I don’t think it would be too big on you.” “Oh, thank you.” He smiled at me and I took it from his hand and he turned to leave but stopped, “If you need anything call me.” “Ok, thanks again.” He smiled and left the room. I changed into the clothes they weren’t to big on me, I found a black mask and I put my hood up. I walked out of the room and I saw everyone in the living room. “Noah, you can go change now.” “Ok,” Josiah looked at me and frowned I knew why he was I remember the day I met the others, Jayden, Kai, William, and James. How he pulled my hood off, and his smile. He started walking toward me I stepped back a little but I stopped and he got closer he put his hand on my head and pulled it off. “What did I say before your cuter with your hood off.” Then I started to blush again, “Oh right I forgot.” But he could tell I was lying he frowned but seconds later he had a smile on his face again. He went to Jessica’s room and called out, “Hey sis, can I look through your stuff really quick!!” “Yeah sure!” Jessica called back. He came out a couple minutes later holding a black bow. “Hey sis, mind if Mia wears your black bow?” “Nah, she can wear it I bet it looks great on her.” He chuckled and walked toward me I stepped back a little, “I don’t really wear bows” “I know, I thought it would look cute on you though, maybe you could just wear it today, for me?” I start to blush as I listened to the words come out of his mouth then I finally answered, “Ok fine, I’ll wear it.” Then he smiled and put the bow on my hair then kneeled down and kissed my check. I blushed, then looked at his face with that bright smile. I smiled back at him. We walked back to the living room and Noah just came out of the room. He was wearing a white hoodie with a red rose oh the top corner with light jeans and a black hat he also was wearing a black mask. Me and him always wear black mask except when we’re going to school. “Jessica you can go change.” “You can go change in the guest room if you want me and Noah don’t mind, right Noah?” “Right, you go change we’ll wait here.” “OK then.” We watched them go into the room and then Josiah came out again and went into the guest room. “So how long are we going to stay here.” I turn around so I’m facing Noah, “We’re going to stay here as long as we can, we’ll leave when they think we can’t stay here then I’m hoping you raised enough money to buy either a house or an apartment.” “Ok, sounds like a plan.” We smile at each other. I hear a person opening a door then walking toward us. “Well I guess this is the best I can do Noah.” “Ha you look great.” “Thanks” Then I turn to see him wearing matching clothes with me I blush as he winked at me and I stood up and kissed his cheek. He blushed and smiled a big smile, I smiled back at him. My brother was watching us and finally said, “Woah, what’s happening to my sister.” When he said that I was really surprised I totally forgot we were in front of Noah and the others then I look around and saw Jessica and she was smiling, “My little brother grow’s up very fast.” Me and her laugh together and then I felt Josiah’s arms rapped around me I blush as I kiss his forehead. He smiled and leaned on my shoulder. “My little sister is all grown up.” Noah chuckles and so does the rest of us. Then we go outside and into the car. We take two cars, one has, me, Noah, Jessica, and Josiah. The other has, Jayden, Kai, William, and James. Noah drives and Jessica sit in the front seat I sit next to Josiah blushing. We listened to music as we drove to the hospital it wasn’t quiet ride we were laughing and we ate some snacks we brought for the road since it would take us and hour or so. I got tiered and I wanted to sleep but I tried to not look tired so Josiah wouldn’t notice but he did, “Mia, are you tired do you want to rest?” “Uh, I’m fine I don’t think I need to rest.” He knows I lying but he just says, “Okay then tell me when you are tired, ok?” “Ok,” “Noah want me to drive now?” “Sure, I think I need a break we stopped at some place and Jessica and Noah switched spots. A minutes later I gave up not looking tiered and I tapped on Josiah’s. He had ear phones on so he couldn’t hear me if I just told him. He opened one eye and looked at me then he opened the other and took out one ear phone, “Yes?” I look at him with my glistening eyes then he kissed me, “What do you need?” “I’m tired can I sleep on your shoulder for a bit.” He smiled at me and took off his sweater and put it around me and pushed my head a little toward his shoulder. I blushed and then he leaned down toward y face and kissed my cheek. He whispered in my ear, “Go to sleep I’ll wake you up when were there.” I leaned toward his shoulder and he kissed my cheek and I blushed. He took of his sweater and lift me up so that I was sitting up straight, he held the sweater out to me I grabbed it and looked at him he winked I blushed but didn’t smile he started to frown at me. “What’s wrong?” His eyes started to tear up, “D-Do you hate me now?” I looked at his eyes he was drying I crawled over and hugged him he hugged me back tightly I kissed him he started to cry more. “Please don’t hate me…I-I love you.” I blushed at the minute and I finally said, “Don’t worry I don’t hate you at all, I love you too.” He gave me a weak smile and walked over to hug me. “Why would you think I hate you, Josiah you did so much for me, my savior, and Noah’s.” At that moment I looked through what I just said and…finally I realized how much he really did for me. His family let me stay with them and I was happy to hear that but I didn’t realize how much they did for me by just excepting me. I realized that just now, how could I be so dumb. “Are you ok, Mia?” Josiah rapped his arms around me and I started to cry. I hugged him the tightest I ever could. I could hear Noah crying too. Then after we stopped crying and cleared our eyes we went in the hospital. We let Jessica go first since she wanted to see her so bad and check her condition. After it was Josiah’s turn, me and Noah decided not to go in since she didn’t know us, we didn’t want to frighten her. But Josiah said he’ll come in with us if we wanted to meet her but we still said no. We stayed at the hospital for an hour or so. Then it was time to go home. The ride home wasn’t awkward but it was quiet. Noah drives but they don’t switch, “Noah your getting tired let me drive.” Jessica finally said, “I’m fine your even more tired so rest, it would help me to know your well rested.” I stared at him like I was looking at a dog. “What?” I still look at him with my beautiful red eyes and he stare at me like I’m an idiot. Then I finally stopped staring at him then I looked at Josiah and then I looked at Jessica, “I SHIP IT!!!!!!” Then they all stared at me, “Did I do something wrong?” I quietly said. “Uh, sorry to ruin your ship but…if you and Josiah gets married, we’ll be family dumbly.” “Welp my ship’s ruined.” “Yep,” Then we all started to laugh like crazy 

, “Wow we sound like psych’s.” “That’s good,” “How?”