Ink Writes Music

DGM

Chapter 1

My Cons In Life

I was sitting in my new bedroom with my ipod blaring. Of course I had the ear buds in otherwise I'd be hearing something from Cross, my legal guardian. The thought of it made me roll my eyes. In all honesty, I wasn't sure how I got dragged into being Cross' guinea pig. With how he rules with an iron fist, that's really all I am here for. Nothing more, highly less.

Simply, Cross is the master. I'm the errand boy, or what he may call, towel boy.

This was going to be the umpteenth time I've been transferred to a new high school, because Cross doesn't know how to stay in one place for long. I just wished the debt collectors would fine him and take him to court for purposely evading the inevitable. Seriously, if this keeps up, what am I going to do? "Allen!"

My fingers tapped the headboard of my bed. I was thinking about how badly my room needed a makeover. I needed to throw some posters on the wall for all my favorite singers and bands. I wonder if I could convince Cross to let me paint. Not that it'll matter. Give it a few months tops, and we'll be leaving again. That's one of the reasons why I keep my distance from others. From everyone. Not to mention my past. I did horrible things, and I still do sometimes, minus the gambling. I have a terrible gambling habit. It's huge. Like it's so bad it's as big as. . . uh, the universe? Nah, that's over-exaggerating. How 'bout- "ALLEN!"

I stopped thinking about my gambling problem just long enough to blink and sit up in my bed. I put down my magazine on lame cars and pull out an ear bud. At that moment, Cross' coarse voice shouted in my ear. "GET THE HELL OUT OF BED AND GET READY FOR YOUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!"

I covered my ear with my hands and threw my ipod. His loud words echoed, well, loudly! "Cross!"

Yelling at him earned me a slap to the back of my head. "Why do you even care if I go to school?" I asked uncaringly. I hopped off my bed and combed my white hair with my fingers. It was still wet from my shower earlier. "I was keeping track of time anyways."

"Right, I'll believe that the day you stop being gay."

A growl rested in my throat, ready to jump out. How many times must I tell him? I'm not gay! I'm straight, not that it matters much to him. He couldn't care less so long as I pay his debts. I swear I have no real place in this world. The only thing Cross doesn't do to me is abuse. You have to give him credit for that. "I'll be down in a minute. Just let me get a few things." I say, but I'm more than tempted to run away. I'd laugh if I could get away, but Cross always knows how to get his way 99% of the time. "Give me five minutes of peace before I go just to come home with my head glued to a broken locker door."

Cross mockingly laughed. If only I had knives in my room to throw at him. Yeah, in case you're wondering, that has actually happened, my head being superglued to a locker door. I do not want to give you the details about it. It's so humiliating. "Whatever, just hurry it up before I drag you there."

"You just want me gone so you can bang some unfortunate lady." I bend over to pick up my bag for school and my favorite pair of white gloves. Tomorrow I'll wear the black ones. Perhaps I should only wear one on my left hand today? Nah. "Or get another loan."

Cross was rolling his eyes, angry already. I could smell the alcohol on him. I should learn to keep my mouth shut sometimes. Because of my words, Cross grabbed my black jacket as I put it on, and he kept his word. He dragged me down the stairs and kicked me out of the house and on the hard pavement. I turn around with steam coming off my head and get ready to shout at him, but the door slammed shut. "Awww, forget you bastard!"

I covered my mouth as Cross opened the door with his gun in hand, glaring at me with the scariest eyes I've ever seen on him. I immediately took off. School is hopefully better than staying home with that maniac. I still can't figure out why they let him have a license for a gun. The only thing he hunts is me or drools over women. I do have to admit, the ladies I've seen him with are breathtaking.

I reach a corner that was anything but populated with kids. There were no more than three kids at my stop. Then again, somebody could be absent today. I don't really care, just as long as they don't touch my arm.

I lean against the red and rusted stop sign. I stare at it for a second or less, sighing as I put a single ear bud in my ear, flipping through the songs on my ipod. I listen to all sorts of songs. Just. . . not country. I refuse to listen to Nicki Minaj. I think you can't really call her singing, singing. Geez, I could list many artists I don't listen to, but there will be some songs that I listen to by a single artist or just one for that particular artist. Hey, everybody can make something good now and then. . . Sort of.

I press the play button on a song I haven't listened to in awhile. It kinda reminds me of James Bond. I think this guy has a song or album out with a James Bond title or something. Who knows? Definitely not myself.

I glance around, mentally singing along in my head to You Know My Name. Mentally I sing: When the storm arrives would you be seen with me? By the merciless eyes I've deceeeivved. I've seen angels fall from blinding heights but you yourself are nothing so divvinne, just next in lllliine.

My foot starts tapping and I know one of the boys at my stop is staring at me now. I can even hear a whisper. Surely they're already gossiping about the new kid. As if I care anymore. . .

A loud sound of somebody stepping on the brakes followed by a whir of smokey squeak (does that even make any sense? How'd I get that?) sounded in my empty ear. On a whim I guess it's the bus. When I hear a noisy ruckus on whatever vehicle in front of me, my guess is confirmed to be true. I see why Cross wanted me to get here so fast. He knew the bus would be here this early whereas I didn't since he didn't give my blasted bus schedule. All I can say is I'm surprised that redhead was up at this time.

Making sure I have my note in case I need it, I step on the bus last and give it to the bus driver once he gave me a firm and questionable gaze. I waited for him to read it before I ventured further. If he didn't approve I'll just go home and see if I can get out of school today. I really just want to go back to bed. "Okay, take a seat." He said, smiling now.

I examined the long aisle and the seats with other people near my age. The seats in the far back were empty and the seats directly up front. They didn't like sitting around the bus driver around here I guess. Shrugging, I sit down in the seat behind the bus driver, disregarding the icy or curious stares. I've gotten used to them all by now. The rumors, the insults, the stares, you name it.

Scooting over to the window, I lean on the cold metal side. I couldn't really call it a wall, right? A bus doesn't have a wall. I guess. My thoughts froze over when somebody tapped my shoulder. That meant they didn't know about my left ear being free of the ear bud. Whatever. I'm not going to answer. Little did I know, the person was going to keep poking me the entire time. I started to twitch. "What?" I snapped, spinning around, but I remained as polite as possible.

Red.

That's the first thing I saw. Red. Plain ol'red that reminded me of my good-for-nothing ringleader. "You new, kid?" The redhead asked.

'Take a deep breath and relax. Be polite. Just because he has Cross' hair doesn't mean he's anything like him.' I pause, hesitating before answering. "Yeah, why?"

"Wondering, that's all." He sounded mischievous. "Nice look."

I pause my ipod. Something told me he wasn't going to leave me alone. I put it in my pocket and sat back in my seat, often looking back out the window. "Sooo, where ya from cutie-pie?"

My head spun around so fast I swear my head would pop off. Good thing it was a 180 and not a 360 shift. "What did you call me?" I squeaked, really, squeaked with hot cheeks.

The kid held his stomach and pointed at me, laughing ridiculously as if I told some hilarious joke. I didn't do that so he ought to straighten up. . .Or at least I don't think I made a pun. So finally, after he got in my last damn nerve, I stated, "Pointing isn't very nice." With my trademark grin.

The red-haired teen inhaled a fulfilling breath while I took in his appearance. He wore a pair of light blue jeans and a tank top with a white vest that was similar to a sweater without the sleeves. None like what Allen's worn in the past. His eye-patch stuck out and a bandana wrapped around his forehead. Oddly enough, it reminded me of dragon scales. The one thing that got me interested and really focused on him was his green eye. It looked just like a shining emerald. Still, it was filled with amusement and laughter. "Sorry dude, sorry, sorry, sorry." He laughed.

"Wow, you sound so apologetic." I rolled my eyes.

"Way to be serious. Your voice is leaking with sarcasm."

I sigh, crossing my arms. "Yeah, always is, so what'cha laughing at, huh?"

"You. Ya should've seen your face, man. It was priceless. I can't tell you how many times I'e seen something like that, but yours was the best, the ultimate." He went on and on. It wasn't that funny. "Anyways, I'm Lavi."

"I don't talk to strangers." I said, spinning back around. A hand was placed on my shoulder and I was pulled back. Somehow, my head ended up in his lap and my cheeks got hotter and brighter. "What are you doing?" I tried to get back up, but he made sure I didn't move.

"Where ya from buddy?"

"Beeswax."

"Eh? There's a city called Beeswax. Oh, it's a joke. Let's hear it." Lavi was brimming with happiness. "C'mon."

"Yeah, city. . . As in, none of your beeswax. Now let me go."

"Not until you tell me."

"Seriously, it's none of your damn business." I tell him, pushing him away and in the aisle. I turn around to make sure he's okay as some other kids laugh. I really didn't mean to do that. "He-hey, you alright? I'm s-sorry."

Lavi just laughed like nothing happened and that made me want to punch him. This guy was crazy. Really. "What's so funny?"

"Lavi, get out of the aisle goofball." The bus driver said.

He laughed more, rubbing the back of his head the best he could. I estimated what he was going to say and I felt a little bad because this kind of thing happens to me all the time. "Can't. I'm stuck." Lavi said.

I held out my hand and he stared at it with a big grin. "Thanks pal." He says as he takes my hand. I pull, but man, he's really stuck. I think he needs butter. "C'mon, pull dude, pull! This isn't birth labor."

"So stop making it seem like it is." I groan, using both hands now. I try pulling him again, but then the bus came to an abrupt halt, making me ram into the cushion in front of me and probably making the driver jump forward.

I rubbed my shoulder and watched as a girl scrammed on the bus, but stopped when she saw Lavi. A tall kid with long blue hair stood behind her, not so happy or amused. The girl with black-greenish pigtails laughed melodically and got in the seat across from mine, being careful for Lavi. The tall teen behind her just stepped on Lavi's chest and sat behind the girl. "Be gentle, Kanda. Lavi might break." The girl said, lightly smacking the supposed Kanda behind her.

"Yeah, Yuu! That hurt!" Lavi rubbed his chest to prove his point.

Kanda came around the back of the girl's seat and whacked Lavi hard. I could even hear his skin meet contact with Lavi's. "Hey, knock it off!"

Instantly six-uh-five eyes were on me. Two from the girl, which were a pretty violet by the way, and Lavi's emerald one. They were widened with shock and humorousness. Kanda's eyes were cold and like steel. It was like he was trying to kill me and shrink me with his horrid glare. For a moment I let him, but I've had worse than this. "Take a picture, it lasts longer." I said in such a cliche way, grabbing Lavi's hand and pulling again.

"Do you have any idea how old that line is?" Kanda growled.

"Do you have any idea how dumb your face looks? I mean, if you're going out in public like that you should wear a plastic bag over your face." I retorted smoothly.

Kanda's eyes hardened and he was furious, but Lavi snickered and the girl covered her mouth to prevent her giggles from coming out. I didn't think it was that funny, but hey, he deserved it so long as it works, right? Guess he's easily provoked. "Okay, behave kids." the driver intervened, eyeing Lavi through the mirror. "And get Lavi out of the aisle already. We have to get the others off the bus and on y'know."

I yanked Lavi's arm as hard as I could, putting one of my feet underneath me and the other against the pole that lifted seats off the floor. "Lenalee, will ya help him? He's going to rip my arm off." Lavi claimed.

Lenalee, apparently, complied and gripped Lavi's neck and tried pulling him up, basically choking him. She saw she was hurting him and decided to pull him up by pushing on his shoulder blades and yanking on his shirt. She kept switching positions and trying new things, but little by little Lavi was budging free. Just as he was freed, the bus suddenly turned a corner-right to be specific-and Lavi came in Allen's direction with a speedy acceleration.

Allen was slammed against the bus' side and Lavi against him. Allen yelped and closed his eyes. "Sorry!" The driver exclaimed.

This bus either needed work done on it or needed a new driver. Honestly. "Kid, you alright?" Lavi asked.

I opened my eyes and realized the awkward position I was in with him. I was laying on my back on the bus seat with Lavi on top. Talk about embarrassing. I knew I was blushing this time for sure because Lavi laughed at me. I tried to say something, but squeaked instead, making Lavi laugh harder. "G-ge-t off m-me!" I shouted, crawling back up to a sitting position with my back pressed against the side. When Lavi didn't move I ended up standing up because of the bad position. "G-get aw-way fro-from me!"

Lavi was in hysterics, clutching his side and pounding his clenched fist on the seat. I heard more laughter from the back of the bus and I got even redder, squeezing my eyes shut. Of course I had to gain everybody's attention before school even started. Dammit!

I lost my balance when the bus stopped. I swear I'll never ride this bus again because this time I flipped over the back of the seat. Now my legs were up in the air, and the laughter got louder. I was so happy I wore a belt today and tucked my shirt in. Otherwise it would have fallen. "New guy, you alright?" Lavi asked, looking at me with a wide grin.

"Shaddup!" I kicked my foot and hit him by mistake. I was just trying to get out of this position. Why did I have all the bad luck in this world? Why? "This is your fault."

"Nu-uh. I'm not the one who forced you to stand up. Anyways, once the others get off I'll help you out of the position." Lavi said.

I groaned, trying to cover my ears as the others walked off the bus laughing still and sometimes poking me or commenting. I ignored them, but it was pissing me off. Big time. This is one thing I wasn't really used to. So when everyone got off I did my best to get off my back and shoulders, squirming like crazy, but I was stuck. "Ya need help?" Lavi asked, his face near mine.

I looked away from him. "Pl-please."

"Okay." He got away from my face and grabbed my ankles. He started towing me sideways, making a sound like he was working on a car or something. I really tuned out on it. Then he stopped. "Hold on, you're a stranger. I shouldn't be helping you nor talking. Oh well, catch ya later." Lavi said, releasing my ankles.

I didn't think he was going to leave at first, but then I heard him run off the bus. I was angry. No, more than angry. Infuriated! A volcano must have gone off inside of me. Everyone was gone. "Hey, kid, you okay?" The bus driver asked sincerely.

I sighed. "Not really."

He chuckled and helped me sit up straight. "Sorry about Lavi and Kanda. They're big trouble. You might want to steer clear form those boys unless you think you can handle them." He said.

I straightened myself, making sure I still had my ipod and everything else. "Thanks, I owe you sir."

"Don't worry about it."

"No offense, but I think I'm going to start walking to school now." I stood up and followed him off the bus.

He stared at me as we walked towards the school building. "If it's about them, they don't ride every day. This is the first time since the first day of school they've rode the bus. They normally have a ride."

I hope so. I don't want to deal with them again. I don't want to see them again. If I do I'll punch the smile off Lavi's face and storm off. . . . Then I'll regret it. Damn my good will to hell. To think I used to be completely different in the past. Oh well. I better head on in. I need to get my schedule. "Well, see ya Sir." I said and walked away as fast as I could.

When I was walking to the office I hummed a song. A random song. I wasn't even paying attention to it. "I hope the day goes better than this morning."

Ha ha ha, here's my new story. I want to thanks everyone for reading and please review. I hope you all like it and will keep reading. Let me know what you think. If you don't like it. . . . if you're still reading, please let me know why you don't like it.

~ ~ ~ Anon Novelist ~ ~ ~