Tattoos And Body Count

The newly improved Mia

I had this sudden epiphany lying on the bed next to Chase.

In San Francisco I've always had to be this perfect half Latino, half American girl, but here in Oakland I don't have to be perfect at all. I just have to be me. I guess I never really know who that is, and I feel like my adventures in Oakland so far is getting me closer to who I am. I know I've always been cold at heart, perhaps too cold, but there are times that I just want to throw caution to the wind and just fly as high as possible. I'm guessing this is my chance. Here I don't have to seek approval like I usually do, here I just have to be whoever I want to be. And I choose to be Mia. The newly improved Mia.

I turn my head to my left and I saw Chase still sleeping peaceful with a snore and his mouth tilted at the side, maybe he's having a good dream. I got off the bed to find my stuffs. I saw my panties and my bra. Where is my gown? I went to the living room to look for it putting on only my underwear, as I got to the living room I saw my gown laying on the couch and I went to pick it, suddenly I hear the door open, damn! we stupidly didn't lock the door earlier. A lady came in, and she was agape to see me like that and I was embarrassed. I swiftly took my gown and put it on, I search the room for my bag and I found it next to the stool I sat earlier. I took it then went straight to the door, the lady was still at shock as I opened the door but I said a nervous bye with my hand and shut the door.

That was weird. It's getting dark outside, how long have I been here? I took my phone out to see the time and it says 5:30, it's not too late then. I've got to go home now and look for some aspirin, my body hurts.

Mum's car isn't outside when I got home. Guess she isn't back yet. The door is still locked, I guess my brother isn't home either. I took the key under the doormat and set to open the door, then I hear a voice calling out my name, I turn back to see who it was and to my surprise, Lara was standing on my front porch with a smile on her face. I resisted returning the smile, I hate that she's got that effect on me.

"What do you want?" I ask sharply

"Mia I'm sorry"

"Oh, are you here to check if I've got your name on me yet? Here!" I open my gown up for her to see and she nodded her head.

"Now please leave me alone" I said turning back to the door to open it and leave as much space between us as possible.

The door opened and I hear her footsteps on the stairs.

"Mia will you please just talk to me" she said touching my shoulder

I jab her hand off of my shoulder. She have no rights touching me now "Oh Now you wanna talk? Remember that was all I wanted to do when I found out you were only just fooling with me, what do you have to say to me now huh?"

"I can explain that. I knew what I was getting you into that was why I couldn't face you when Nathan forced you to go draw that tattoo, I kept telling him we only kissed and that was it, but he wouldn't listen, he said you're new, so even a kiss counts. I'm sorry Mia, I just want to hang out with you more, I really love hanging out with you, and I didn't see you at school today and I kept thinking maybe the wound on your skin wouldn't heal, so that is why I'm here, to see if you're okay" she explains rather rapidly and stop to catch her breath

"Well now that you know I'm fine, you can go" I said playing stubborn but was really happy to find out that she cares after all.

"Won't you invite me to come in at least to drink water, I've been waiting here for a while" she said smiling down at me.

And this time I returned it. And open the door for her to come in.

"Thanks" she said as she walk pass me with the smile still on her face.

I led her to the kitchen and fetch her a glass of water. She collected it and said "So no one is home yet huh?"

"Yeah, my mum's probably still at work and heaven knows where Noah is" I said sitting next to her. And feeling a tad bit pain on my thigh. I frowned my face in pain

"Does it still hurt?"

"Yeah sometimes"

"Let me see"

I open it to show her.

"Arrghhh! You've got scabs on it. Do you have sunscreen?"

"Yeah it's in my room"

"OK let's go fix it up there"

I frown at first. But succumbed because I can't let us stay here with my tattoo opened, my mum or my brother could come home anytime from now. I took her to my room and lock the door. We settled on my bed and I handed her the sunscreen and open my scabs to her. I watch in amazement as she apply the cream gracefully, perhaps she is applying so cautious because it is her name. Perhaps she enjoys seeing her name written widely on my thigh.

She felt my stare on her and raise her head up to look at me. I froze, wanting to touch her, or even kiss her. She came closer, opening her mouth. I was drawn to her, I feel myself moving forward to meet her lips. As our lips almost touched I drew back, No Mia, not this time again I got off the bed.

"What happened?" she asks with disappointment

"I just, I don't trust you any more"

"Mia I said I was sorry for what happened"

"And I forgive you, okay. But I like you too much to just get my feelings hurt every time. I don't wanna get into something that I'm not sure you want, and I don't know if you truly mean what you said, see Lara I'm sorry but I can't go on like this. I saw you flirting with other girls at school, I just, I can't do this" I said folding my arm and walking to the far end of the room

She got off the bed and walk to me, she touched my face carefully and said "I don't expect you to trust me, not after what happens but I want you to believe what I'm about to tell you, I want you. I want to be with you. OK I'll admit I flirt a lot maybe, but that's who I was before I met you and I'll stop if you could just be mine, I want us to be together Mia"

I love how my name sounded on her lips. Oh my God her lips, I don't think I can hold myself back for long anymore. I kiss her very hard, wanting to savor every corner of her mouth. The feeling of her lips on mine is maddening. She tasted like strawberry, maybe it's her lip gloss,but I love it. She drew back this time. Watching my eye with so much pleasure filled in hers.

She held my hand and walk me back to the bed. Kissing my lips swiftly she said "Let's just talk okay? I want to know you more" I nodded my head and she started to ask "What are you into?"

"Huh I don't know keeping my grades up?"

"Ahhh ahhhh, that's not fun"

"Okay... Let's see, oh, since I've been here I starting to not like school so much, and yeah I've had like five blunts to smoke"

"OK girl, you rolling with some rebels now?" she said sarcastically

"I guess. My new friend Brooke knows some people"

"I see" she said and the room grew silent.

After a while I contemplated telling her about what happened between chase and I today but instead I said

"What about you, what are you into?"

"Me? I huh love to sing, I write songs, poems, books. I'm into literature so"

"Wow that's great, love songs?"

"Yeah sometimes, but I'm kinda Alec Benjamin style, you know?"

"Oh, who's that?"

"Are you kidding? Alec Benjamin, the pop artist with multiple AMA's? Nothing rings a bell?"

"Huh no? I don't think so"

? "This is the worst day of my life, it's the worst,it's the worst day of my life" she starts to sing but I shook my head, still don't know who that is

"What? Have you been living under a rock or something?" she laughs "OK I'll play you some of his songs but you gotta promise you'll download his album and listen to it yourself"

I smiled "Of course"

We listened to a bunch of Alec Benjamin music and it really is dope music. I started telling her about my favorite artist Sasha Sloan and played her couple of her songs too, plus made her promise she'll download her songs as well. It was fun just talking. We even fix a date to go to the karaoke on Friday night.

My mum got home around 8pm and my brother was with her, thank goodness, I was starting to be worried about him. Lara and I went down to meet them as we heard my mum call out my name.

My mum was setting her bag on the couch when Lara greeted her "Hello Mrs Brown, I'm Lara"

"Oh Lara, what a pleasure meeting you finally" she replied with a very big smile. Gosh mum don't embarrass me.

"It's a pleasure meeting you as well Mrs brown" Lara said returning the smile

"Oh just call me Susan, dear" my mum answered sheepishly. "Have you guys had dinner yet?" my mum asked facing me now

"No! What took you so long?" I ask

"Oh I went to pick up your brother at David's place and his mum and I wouldn't stop talking, she's a really pleasant lady, let's order pizza tonight". Mum said and my brother got excited he started jumping and screaming pizza pizza. "Lara you'll stay for dinner won't you?" my mum asked

Lara nodded and replied "Of course"

My brother wouldn't stop screaming until I screamed at him to go do his homework. So much drama tonight, I hate that Lara had to see that.

Everyone was settled in the living room, waiting for our pizza. The bell rang and I got up to go answer it. It is the pizza man. I'm famished I haven't had anything to eat since morning. I paid the delivery man and shouted "Pizza is here!"

Everyone rushed to the kitchen to get a slice, apparently I wasn't the only one famished. We all circle round the kitchen table biting off our slices with orange juice. This is the best night ever. The three people that matters most to me altogether in a room filled with laughter and silliness,and I couldn't wish for nothing more. The newly improved Mia couldn't wish for nothing more. Thank you universe!