A/N: hey guyyyyssss...sorry i haven't posted anything for our beloved MR in forever. Anyway, here's a oneshot (or at least i think it is...) by my friend Elizabeth. She asked if I could post it and i said sure..

but seriously. review.

Disclaimer: NOT MINE.

Do You See How I Try?

I'm not a child now

I can take care of myself

I mustn't let them down now

Mustn't let them see me cry

I'm fine, I'm fine

The most important thing is that they don't see. That they don't see the tears cascading down my cheeks. Because part of being me is that I don't cry. I have let down my guard before, but not like this. Never is my sorrow as great as this.

I'm too tired to listen

I'm too old to believe all these childish stories

There is not such thing as faith and trust and pixie dust

I am a leader. I need to be strong. I am invincible. I put on a tough face and everything is fine. To others. It does not matter that I have no place to fit in. That no one understands me. For I must go on, if not for myself, for others.

I try but it's so hard to believe

I try but I can't see what you see I try, I try, I try

There are too many people who rely on me. I cannot back down. I need to be there. I need to be there to snarl in the faces of offenders, and to give comfort when needed. I need to have a big heart and steady head. I cannot show tears. I am too old for tears.

My whole world is changing I don't know where to turn

There was once a time where tears were seldom. A time where crying was over a mere scraped knee, or hurt feelings. But those days are over. They have followed the wind, and drifted away.

I can leave you waiting but I can't stay and watch the city burn (oh) watch it burn

I still have friends to rely on, and instincts to lead me through, but no matter how many people surround me, I will always be alone. For in a sea of faces, I would be lost.

But now I have had my moment of self pity, and it is time for my mask to be returned to its post on my face. The mask that hides all tears. For I am invincible.

I try and try to understand the distance in between the love I feel,

the things I fear and every single dream

There are still times where I find tears on my cheek in the morning, a remnant of my tearful sleep, but I quickly swipe them away.

Cause, I try but it's so hard to believe

I try but I can't see what you see I try, I try, I try

I am Maximum Ride.

SOOOOOO? Howd'ya like it? What'ya think? PLEASE TELL ME!!

Ciao for now!