She's Made Her Mark

By: Erin (Kate)

February 23, Age 20

Today's my 20th birthday. Yes, so I lied to Roger that Christmas Eve. I wasn't 19 yet. But it was close enough and I've always liked to advertise myself as older. For someone as tiny and young looking as me, any age you can add is an advantage. And with Roger Davis you need an advantage. I knew that the minute I saw him. Besides, the second he said I looked 16, I was set on the defensive. He knows I wasn't 19 yet, he figured it out when Angel woke us up at 7 in the morning to "Wish Me a Happy 19th!" He didn't mind that I lied for long... not after our "birthday celebration".

Anyway, I know you're probably blinking at this in shock. Mimi Marquez with a diary? Well, you know, this isn't the first one. I've been keeping a diary since I was 12. They're all in my closet, if I'm not here to... I'm sorry. Mark always tells me not to dwell in the negative-No Day But Today-but I have to face facts. I'm sick. Not just HIV, full-blown AIDS. And... when I'm... not here, you can read them. I'd actually like that... to be remembered, to have people know things I've never been ready to say. I can be immortalized in a way. Maybe someone can make a movie of the week out of my life. It would be darkish though... maybe it'd have to be on TLC or something... they're usually more accepting.

I got off-topic. I guess I'm tired. I haven't been sleeping too well lately, ever since...

I write like I think. With the "..."s and fragments and trailing off. Anyway, I know this'll sound weird, because diaries aren't meant to be read. But this one is. You'll know who you are when you'll read this far. You'll know I trust you.

I'm... well, I'm planning to summarize my life in here. I don't want to force you to read through 8 years worth of books. Whining, incoherent druggie ramblings... I even have some stereotypical against in there. As hard as it is to believe.

I just heard the door open. Guess it's time for my "birthday celebration". Even if it is just a stupid party, nothing the same as last year. Roger says he's afraid of hurting me, because I'm "fragile" right now. I guess I'll just have to show him that I'm not so fragile.

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Author's Note: Well that was short-ish, but I like the idea of Mimi having a diary... And, of course, each entry will be a chapter... :) Anyway, I hope you guys like this idea too... Reviews would be sooo gladly appricated!

Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine, although the diary concept is... I think.

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