Yes I'm still alive I've just been going through a major funk and haven't had time to work… is it sad that my school binders weigh almost as much as my ten year old neighbor? P.S I'm only in 7th grade and I have more work then my sister who's in high school!

"so what are we training for exactly?" I asked jumping down off the balance beam I was currently standing on

" well its self defense but don't tell mikey that. When we were little sensei told us stories that one day, w-when he… leaves us, we would become great ninjas. About how we would be the ones to stand up for damned and defeated, to avenge the broken souls. Its never gonna happen though." he sighed pulling his coat tighter around him. it's the beginning of September and the cold winter chill already ravaged the streets of Manhattan. "Sensei has had cancer for a while now and the chemo therapy isn't doing anything to help. W-when he does leave us, this family isn't staying together." he said to me with a sudden burst. "but why am I telling you this, you probably don't care?" he asked. It was one of theses questions, the ones that they don't think will hurt. It did.

why am I telling you this? don't they know! I do care, I want to be a part of this family too... What am I saying, Donnie get a grip! This isn't your family. You already have one… you… you just have to find them.

"Leo I-I'm g-gonna go take a b-brake." I stuttered stumbling across the park to the nearest tree. these people aren't your family, they don't care… they want you gone! I leaned back against the trunk of the old oak, not wanting the tears to flow, not wanting the world to win. no your wrong, they care! Mom and dad wouldn't want this t-theyd want me to find… to find… no… this cant happen!

I was so focused on blocking the world away, to not care about anyone else, that I forgot the ones I do love. I forgot my sisters name! trying to remember I realized… I didn't remember anything about my old life. I barely remember the sound of my mothers laugh. The feeling of being lifted to my fathers shoulders, to feel like I was on top of the world, that I could do anything. I'll never feel like that again.

Moments later there was a rustling in the leaves above my head. I looked up and saw a colorful kite firmly lodged between the branches. Its bright pinks and oranges brightened my mood and the bare branches alike. I looked down through the tears to behold Aphrodite herself. Making her way over to me was a beautiful red head with a unraveled spool of thread, carefully winding it back up with every step she took closer

"sorry I don't mean to bother you but do you know anyone who can help me with this?" she asked looking helplessly at the kite with now limply hung from the branches and shivered whenever the wind blew. for a few moments I just stared, my jaw dropped and my eyes wide. Never had I seen such beauty!

"u-uh wait!' I gasped, as her first steps away woke me from my trance. "I-I can help, a- and by the way M-my name is D-donnie" I nervously squeeked.

"hi I'm April." she smiled as she shifted her weight to the other feet. oh God Donnie, what are you getting yourself into?

I shimmied up the trunk of the tree, holding on to the slim branches that sprouted from its center. As I edged closer and closer I could see the bright colors peaking through the leaves like the sun behind the clouds after a rainy day. Reaching skywards the tips of my fingers lightly brushed the fabric, causing he leaves to shudder. I cant do this, I cant do this! I thought, my fingers inches away from the kite.

"t-there was a-a nest u-u there and I-I didn't w-want to hurt the b-birds." I lied shimmying down the trunk and finally reaching the ground. Sweet, sweet ground!

"…thanks for trying I guess. Well I'll see you later I guess." she said disappointed as she left the spool on the ground by my feet. When she left it felt as if a piece of me was leaving with her… is this what love at first sight feels like?

I'm sorry if it sucks. a new (and longer) chapter will be coming soon. Please leave a review or send me a message with any questions and I will get them answered.