Mated With Five Boys

Chapter 5: Stories Unfolding.

"But there's a story behind everything.How a picture got on a wall.How a scar got on your face.Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking.But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, because hers is where yours begin."- Mitch Albom

Sometimes I sit around thinking about how my life would have turned out if my mother was still alive.

If she was there to tuck me in when I was little, or if she would have been there to see my eighth birthday.

There are so many unspoken words that now will forever be unspoken.

I wish I had told her I loved her more, and that I'm not angry anymore about her not letting me go to Thea Martin's seventh birthday party.

I now know she was just trying to protect me because Thea's family was known for dealing drugs.

I would tell her I missed hearing the sound of her voice or contagious laugh.

I'd tell her how incredibly strong she is for hanging on for as long as she did.

But most of all I'd thank her for being apart of my life for those seven years.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

A deep voice spoke with a thick Hispanic accent.

I looked over to see Angelo had taken a seat next to me on the couch, I didn't really like the fact that he chose the seat right next to me when there was a whole couch, but I let it go.

I was currently sitting downstairs in the living toom, bored out of mind.

There was literally nothing to do, I've done the dishes, wiped the counters twice, and swiped the floor.

The house was spotless trust me I would know, I rechecked 5 times.

His voice startled me, I was too deep in my own head I hadn't even notice Angelo’s had entered the same room as me.

"It's nothing,’ I said shortly, offering him a small smile so he didn’t think I was being rude.

"It was definitely something but if you don't want to talk about it, I understand."

He nodded his head. I just nodded my hand, thankful he was willing to drop it.

"No problem Carifio."

He spoke, I had no clue what he had just said but it sounded lovely coming from his mouth.

"I think I'm going to lose my mind if I sit here any longer.

I blurted out, looking down at the maroon carpet.

"Why? what's wrong?"

Angelo furrows his eyebrows, looking over at me.

"At the other homes I've been at, I was always doing something.

You know like cooking, cleaning, watching over the younger kids, but here there is nothing to do.

AllI do is sit around and think, and my mind is the last place I want to be."

I told him honestly.

I've been here for about a week and a half and I already feel like my head is going to implode.

"I get what you're saying, I think it'll be better once you start school"

He said playing with the watch on his wrist.

It was just then I noticed the tattoo's that ran up his left arm.

He had a bunch of flowers that were placed perfectly on his forearm but I wasn't exactly sure what kind of flowers they were, it then transitioned into what looks like a cross with a bible verse.

The artwork looked very detailed, you can tell the artist put a lot of time and effort into his work.

My eyes then traveled from his arm to his face, Angelo had dark brown eyes just like Axel, but he seemed more friendly, almost in an innocent sense.

While Axel's eyes were deeper, more mysterious, more exciting, more...how would you call it? More dangerous.

His hair was longer on top of his head, where he had it gel to a little point than it was on the sides of his head.

Angelo was definitely very attractive, there was no doubt about that.

"You know Mia If you ever need to talk I'm here for you."

Angelo looked up his watch over to my face.

I don't need to talk.

"Being the new kid is never easy, especially when you're not even in your own state."

He continued.

At least we can agree on one thing.

"l'll appreciate it."

I lied, looking back down to the floor.

Angelo and I sat in an uncomfortable silence for what felt like 10 years until I couldn't bear it anymore and cracked.

"What's your favorite food?"

Saying the first thing that popped into my head.

"Bandeja Paisa, without a doubt."

He answered almost immediately.

"What's that?"

I asked him, curious.

"In simple terms, it's beans, white rice, a fried egg, Colombian- fried pork belly, powered beef with an avocado.

My mother used to make it all the time."

Angelo explained.

"Is that where you're from? Colombia?"

I questioned, trying to keep the conversation going.

"My mom and dad were born in Colombia, but as for my sister and I, we were born here in America."

He informed me.

I nodded my head, processing all the information that Angelo has just told me.

"My parents came to America illegally"

He blurted out.

"When they found out my mother was pregnant with twins, they wanted to provide a better life for us, Angelo told me, playing with his watch again.

I just sat there listening to his story, watching him open up to me.

How is it so easy for him to tell his life story? "When my sister and I turned five, Camila got extremely sick.

And they had no other choice but to take her to the hospital or she would have died."

He knitted his eyebrows together, you could tell it was hard for him to talk about.

"And since my mother and father had no legal paperwork for us or themselves, they got deported back to Columbia.

We would have too but, the nurse that helped my mom give birth in our small house came forward and told the judges that we were rightfully Americans."

He looked up at me for the first time since he started telling me his family's past.

"They could still have taken us with them but they wanted a better life their children, so they put us in the system when they went back to South America."

A sad look in Angelo's eyes made my heart feel heavy.

No human being is illegal.

"Camila still blames herself, even though she shouldn't"

He told me, looking me in my eye.

Knowing I couldn't say anything that would make him feel better, I placed my hand over is.

I could tell I surprised him because it took a few seconds for him to realized what I was doing.

Quite frankly, I surprised myself too.

I usually try to avoid physical contact at all cost but the sad look on Angelo's face made my heart swell.

I hate seeing people sad.

After a good thirty seconds of having my hand on Angelo’s, I decided I had enough human contact for one day.

"Sorry' I whispered taking my hand off of him.

"I know it doesn't mean much."

I continued.

"Thank you, Mia."

He smiled showing his white teeth.

I nodded my head in acknowledgment.

"So what's your favorite foo-"

Angelo was cut off by the red and blue flashing lights that erupted from outside the house.

"Here we go again."

Angelo sighed, getting up from the couch.

"I got to go get Rose."

He told me.

A bubble of anxiety rose in my stomach as I watched Angelo disappear down the hall to go to what I presume was where Rose's room was.

I sat still on the couch watching the lights flash between the blinds on the window.

I was no stranger when it came to law enforcement, when I turned around the age of fourteen I went through this whole rebellion stage and it didn't really end until I turned sixteen.

But why would the police be here? Especially this late? I looked over at the analog clock that was hanging on the wall.

It was 10:07 at night.

"That boy can't stay out of trouble for one night can he?"

I heard Rose say appearing from the hall, shaking her head.

Before she made it the door, somebody on the other side had already knocked.

I watched as Rose opened the front door.

"Hi Rose."

The officer offered her a kind smile.

He was tall, with a muscular body.

He had short red hair, and freckles placed randomly on his face and arms.

"What did he do now Patrick?"

She asked him a disappointed look on her face.

"He started a fight at the bar couple blocks down the road"

The man that's name I guess is Patrick, informed her.

Who's he? Who started a fight? That's when I saw Axel step from behind the officer, making him visible to my sight.

His damp dark brown hair laid messily on his forehead.

His eyes looked cold and blank as he stood by Patrick.

My eyes then jumped down to his hands, which I now noticed where bleeding.

Suddenly he pulled his hands behind his back like he was shielding them.

I gazed back up his face to only see him already looking at me.

Well, I don't think looking is the right word, more like sending me death glares.

Boy, if looks could kill.

I gulped nervously and retreated my eyes away from his.

I don't think that boy knows how to smile.

"Go upstairs and clean yourself up, Axel."

Rose told him.

Axel surprisingly listened and stepped between Patrick and Rose and headed to the stairs.

He turned and looked at me like he wanted to ask me something but, he decided against it and walked up the stairs, skipping every other one in the process.

"Thanks for bringing him"

Rose told Patrick, giving him a sad smile.

"No problem, he's a good kid he just got some bad ways."

Patrick shrugged his shoulders, and headed down the few stairs on the porch and disappeared into his car.

Rose shut the front door, letting out a long breath.

I wanted to say something to comfort her but I wasn't sure what to say.

"Hey rose?"

I called out.

She looked around confused, looking for who had said her name.

She finally looked into the living room where I was sat and smiled over at me.

"Yes, dear?"

She questioned, entering the room.

"I was just wondering when I'd be able to attend school?"

I asked her, thinking about Angelo's words from before.

"Well I was giving you time to adjust, but if you feel you're ready then I see no reason why we couldn't get you enrolled hy Monday."

She told me.

"Sounds great."

Anythings better than sitting around here all day.

"What grade are you in?"

She asked.

"Eleventh; I replied back.

"So is Rylan, Wyatt, and Kina"

Rose smiled again "Hopefully you'll have classes with them, that way they can help you out."

She explained.

I nodded my head, she’s right maybe it would make the school year go by easier.

"Well, I better get to sleep soon.

She told me, looking up at the clock.

"Goodnight Rose,’ I spoke to her.

I watch as she walked towards the hallway but before she goes any further she turns back around and looks at me.

"I hope you learn how to let yourself open up Mia, the world can be a lonely place by yourself"

And with that, she walks away.

And here I am, left sitting on the couch.

Alone.