Chapter 2
Okay, Nat has been teasing me a lot lately, but we aren't fighting or anything. Well, it's like this: there's this girl. Her name is Juanita and I guess, I sort of like her, but any ways Nat immediately found out when he saw us together, but I've begged him not to tell. Even through I guess just like with Nat and Rosalina the truth has a way of showing itself.
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I could feel myself fill with anxiety as I knocked on the door. I looked around even through I knew every step of this apartment building by heart. I've been living here since I was 2. That was the same year my Mom died. Well, I don't exactly remember her, but Nat sort of does, he was 4 then. He's told me about how Mom would always tell us a story and then kiss us on our forehead to plant dream seeds in our heads to give us good dreams.
Suddenly Juanita's little sister, Christine, opened the door yanking me out of my thoughts. She was wearing a blue pajama top with outlines of white clouds all over it; along with a pink with light blue poka-dotted bottoms. She had obviously been awake for sometime because perkiness was in her eyes instead of: "why did you wake me up" annoyance.
"Hiya, Alex what'cha doing here," she asked staring curiously. "I umm…." was the only thing I could get out before she started yapping her mouth again; "You here to see Juanita. You can come in." "I don't want to wake her," I said trying to think of a better excuse, but Christine started pulling on my arm and I was forced against my will.
Inside most of Christine's toys were spread out all over the living room. She had slept on the sofa bed last night which she often did. She has loved to sleep on it ever since she had learned to pull it out. "Juanita's awake in her room, I can go get her," the 6 year old said as she skipped down the hall to Juanita's bedroom. I turned away toward the front door to prepare myself and for good reason.
"CHRISTINE, GET OUT OF MY ROOM!" I heard Juanita yell from inside her room. "But, Alex is here," Christine said. "SO!" was Juanita's only answer. I felt like running out the door and back to my apartment as fast as possible, but I knew I was stuck here.
Juanita and Christine live with their foster parents here. On the weekends and some days after school, Juanita has to baby sit Christine until their Mom and Dad get home around 11:00 P.M. and she hates it because Christine loves to mock her.
I still get to see her at the skate park, but it's not the same as seeing her everyday like I use to with her original foster parents, Mr. & Mrs. Williams. They both died this summer in a fatal car crash.
Juanita and Christine were left in the care of Mr. & Mrs. Mendez, their foster mother's sister and husband, due to their signing of some kind of will or something. The Mendezs' were never even expecting to take on any more children after their son, Alberto, died from a hit and run 8 years ago. Mr. Mendez said he and Alberto's sister, Olivia, saw the whole thing and it was truly the most horrible thing he'll ever see.
Juanita walked over to me; her face expressionless as she said, "Hey, Alex, what are you doing here?" "Um, I, uh…" were the only words that came from my mouth. I took a step back from her embarrassed by my stammering. If she did find it amusing her eyes didn't show it.
She stared for a few seconds then her eyes slid to Christine's bedroom door. "Um, she's a bit of a handful isn't she?" I asked trying to break the awkward silence. "A bit?" she said looking me directly in the eyes, "That is the most annoying, peskiest, brattiest little girl I've ever known!" "Um, sorry," I replied taking another step back. "What's wrong, Alex?" she asked noticing how awkward he was started to feel around her. I shrugged and said, "Nothing."
"Alex, I know it's something, you've never acted like this before." "Things change; people change," I greeted her with what seem to be the band's theme at the moment. "Not you," she sighed as she walked over to the couch and sat down. Juanita would always worry about me so I already knew what was coming next. "Come on," she prompted patting the space on the couch next to her; the pleasant tone in her voice surprised me. I hesitated for a few seconds then walked over and took the seat. "Now, what's wrong," she immediately asked. "Nothing," I repeated. "Alex, don't lie to me, okay? You're my best friend and I know when something's up so what is it?"
I stared at her for about a second and immediately drowned in her dark eyes. I couldn't lie to her; I know I can't, how could I? "Ok," I sighed, "this is what happened."
I walked back toward my apartment thinking about what Juanita had told me. Would she be right? Would the band set aside their differences? Juanita never gave me clear answers on my problems because she knew I could figure them out for myself. I never know what she's saying at first, but she's always right and I never doubted her about anything anymore.
When I walked into Nat's and my room, my immediate thought was: "what do I do now?" I have always had something to do whether it was writing a song, practicing the drums, or even Nat just bossing me around. Now no one told me anything. It was up to me to keep track of band practices, it was up to me remember what to bring to school, and it was even up to me to remember that I wasn't alone in this.
I don't get to have as many friends as everyone else and if I did I wouldn't see them as often. During the year we have concerts on weekends and school breaks most of the time. I've always wanted to be a normal kid; being able to go on hikes, camping trips, going to school games, or something.
Instead everyday now for like two years I've been stuck in the studio. And it isn't as much fun as you would think it would be. Sometimes when we're recording there's no doubt about it; our hearts aren't in it anymore and I don't know why.
I collapsed onto my bottom bunk with a sigh. I just don't know what's wrong with me this morning. It's like my imagination has a hold on me and won't let go. I try to push thoughts away, but they just keep coming back.
I wonder what Thomas meant. As far as I know no one ever pushes him around. Maybe I should ask David; no, even if I could convince David to talk to Thomas, he's as stubborn as a mule, he wouldn't come back.
I began to kick my legs to and fro off the edge of the bed in frustration. "Why do I even bother?" I muttered. "Hey do you mind?" Nat asked from above me in the top bunk. He slowly stirred and I saw his feet as he began to climb down the ladder. I could read his face quickly and I saw he wasn't that irritated that I had woken him up, but no one ever said I was a mind reader.
"What's the matter with you and where have you been?" he asked. "I can't tell him I went to see Juanita," I thought, "he would total be bagging on me the rest of the day," "Nothing, no where," I simply answered. He gave me an uncertain look as he replied: "okay?"
I watched him as he walked out of the room. I guess you know who the real psychic of the family is now. Nat always knows when something is up even if it isn't stuck right in his face.