Mortal Superhero

“Michael, where are you taking me!”

“Just keep your eyes closed. It’s something that you said we’d go to when we first started going out.”

“I’ve kept my eyes closed for the past hour or so!”

“You’re so impatient, April. I had to get everything fixed. Okay, you can open your eyes now.”

April opened her eyes and her mouth dropped. She smiled and turned her head.

“Seriously? A bowling alley? For our first year anniversary? You’re kidding, right?”

“Not at all, you use to bowl, and so did I. You keep telling me that you’d kick my ass in it, so here we are. For our first year anniversary, we’re going to compete against each other.”

“That’s sentimental, different and odd, but why THIS bowling alley?”

“Why not?”

“This is an exclusive bowling alley, a hangout for gangsters, drug dealers and thugs.”

“And it’s also the spot for professional bowlers, and it has a lot of publicity. Tonnes of people come here just to watch people play.”

“So, you want to embarrass me by playing here?”

“You hit 200s! I’m the one that should be worried, I haven’t played in years!”

“Neither have I! We should go...”

April’s eyes looked at the floor where her bowling equipment was lying. Michael went through all of this, staying here is the least I could do, right? She looked up and saw Michael’s hurt eyes. Even though he didn’t want to tell her, he worked hard on finding her bowling alley that her late grandfather took her too when she was young, digging through her attic for her equipment and checking with the locals if anything serious has been happening in that area. It’s true what she pointed out, the local thugs like to hang around here. But they don’t shoot off bullets like what the media portrays them as. It’s more like a gathering of young teens whose families aren’t the best places to be at. Thugs in this particular area are victims of abuse, drug-hooked parents and accidental pregnancies. Michael, of course, understood their point of view, as his birth wasn’t planned either.

“Michael, how much does it cost here?” Michael’s face lit up.

-

“This is going to be our fifth game, are you sure you’re still up? I mean, a tie is a horrible way to end, but you can forfeit you know?”

“You’re so competitive, April.”

“Great game, you guys.” A new voice spoke from behind them. But random compliments happened daily at this location. They didn’t notice the crowd that grew behind them. No other lanes were being used except theirs. All eyes were on them. April and Michael both blushed at the realisation of this audience.

“Sorry, let me introduce myself. I’m Aaron, regular here.” He was sitting on the seats instead of watching from the semi circle the crowd had formed. Something about him made Michael feel uneasy, but he just shook it off.

“Name’s Michael. This is April.”

“Nice to meet you, Aaron.”

“Likewise. Just pretend the audience isn’t here. You won’t even know they’re here. They cheer like it’s a golf tournament, so don’t worry.”

“Uhm, excuse me,” a group of young girls came out of the crowd, probably in their late teen years, “did you say that you’re Aaron?”

“That depends on who is asking.” His answer seemed so cold. He didn’t even glance at the four girls acting like elementary children professing their childish crush.

“I’m Jenny, and these are my friends, Christine, Jackie and Carrie. Uhm,” she seemed to be getting more nervous by the minute, “my friend Christine thinks you’re cute and wanted to ask for your number.”

“No I do not!” Christine protested too quickly. She gave away the truth in the sound of her protest and the blush of her skin, “Jackie did!” The entire conversation transformed into the four young girls playing the blame game.

“Why don’t we all talk somewhere, more secluded?” The four of them blushed instantly and followed Aaron as he disappeared into the crowd. The spectators seemed un-phased by that little fiasco. Michael laughed at the thought of the girls being turned down by Aaron. He’s way too uninterested in them. The crowd silently urged the two competitors to continue playing.

-

“I’m glad it ended as a tie, April.”

“Why? A tie’s the worst thing to end a competition on.”

“But at least we’re not mad at each other, right?”

“Yeah. I wonder what happened to Aaron.” The alley owner picked up the conversation.

“He said something about going out for drinks with them. He took my car keys too, that damned brat.”

“Wait, I assumed he was like sixteen,”

“No, ma’am. I think he’s seventeen.”

“How’d he get his license so early?” Michael was a bit jealous. His cousins taught him how to drive but his parents forbade him to get his license until he’s in college.

“He doesn’t have one. That seventeen year old hoodlum’s always getting into trouble. I don’t know how he gets away with it. Being the leader of the local Hunters gang. Sometimes, I think that the cops are watching over that gang more than trying to take it down.”

Michael and April both dropped their bowling ball bags. Their jaws almost dropped at the thought that the biggest gang leader was sitting right in front of them.

“Hunter? As in the gang that’s chalked up more dead bodies than the cops can count?”

“Must mean you’re from uptown, huh? Well, the media spins that tale the wrong way. See, we live in the worst part of the neighbourhood. Our area is right in the middle of the Pirates Clan and War Hawks. And those two gangs are always playing monopoly with these neighbourhoods. These parts here are the biggest drug users this city’s ever seen. So the Pirates and War Hawks are always claiming property. And sometimes, we get in the crossfire because we get mistaken for members of the other gang. Both gangs think they’re tough so they pick on the kids in the middle. Then, at night, they stand on the corners of their territory and sell drugs to the parents of those children. And sometimes, the gangs have a shoot out in a neighbourhood with kids playing in the street for no apparent reason or warning. Aaron, a former drug dealer and former member of War Hawks, saw the wrong and did something about it. He made his own gang, where everyone is accepted. I guess it’s thanks to the media that the Hunters have a higher body count than both rival gangs. I think it’s just because it happens more often in the Hunters streets. But the cops know in their heart, these kids just want protection, and a way out of this hard life. I’ve seen the mayor secretly thank Aaron for keeping as many kids safe. Look at that, I’m rambling on again. Sorry about that.”

The old man seemed to speak highly of Aaron, like he was proud of him. It brought a smile to Michael knowing that someone is actually trying to make a difference.

“Why are they called Hunters, old man?” April always asked the most irrelevant questions.

“It was given by the media as well. One of the local boys, probably nine or ten, got shot. It was straight execution, one bullet to the child’s head. Aaron hunted the people responsible. Needless to say, he got what he deserved. Aaron turned himself in, but the judge let him walk on substantial evidence. The media claims that he was paid off and the judge lost his job for letting Aaron go for what he thought was right. I even hear that Aaron’s trying to bring the two gangs to peace by putting together an organized drug market. I know, it sounds bad, but that’s what the two gangs fight for. Market distribution, and trust me, it’s still nothing compared to the competition that the big business companies fight. But around here, we’ll take whatever peace we can get, even if it means basically locally legalizing the drug merchandise. Aaron’s a good guy, and I believe that not even God will deny that.”
As April and Michael headed for their car, April looked up at the moving clouds and smiled.

“What do you think of that Aaron character, babe?”

“He’s exactly what this world needs. A mortal superhero.”

DayTripper

I thought I dreamt it all.
Because I don't normally remember events.
Or anything else for that matter.
I thought it was all a dream.
I was only fifteen.
Eager to take on a challenge.
I was ready...
To get a girlfriend.
But I was too shy.
Too unconfident.
Not exactly the slickest with words,
Or the sharpest of tongue.
My mouth would seal shut,
When in the presence of the opposite gender.
Face, staring at the ground,
Palms, dripping with sweat,
The most words I've said to a girl.
Was honestly, I like your socks.
Because I would always look down.
Never in direct contact with her eyes.
As if, the minute I looked at her eyes,
I would be petrified like she was medusa.
Or my eyes would combust to flames
Like staring face to face with the sun's flares.
But somehow, we still ended up alone... at her house.
She laughed a little, and told me to look up.
I told her that I can't.
She took her hand and lifted my chin.
And the minute her eyes matched mine...
I noticed that her eyes were hazel brown.
And the more I stared into her eyes...
The more I felt like I was being lured into some sort of trap.
Like how fishes use bright colours to attract prey.
I tried to look away but I couldn't.
As her hands were still on my face, she motioned her face closer.
I got a little nervous.
I've never been THIS close to a girl before.
She closed her eyes and puckered her lips.
I... backed down.
She smiled and apologized.
I said, that's okay.
When in truth, I should've been the one apologizing.
I could've had my first kiss with a girl that I've been admiring for so long.
The girl who's beauty I've adored for so long.
The woman that's surpassed every other girl out there.
The person that I could never give a rating of one to ten.
Because she was above that, and not just because of her looks.
The way she walked brought jealousy to her competition.
The way she flirts brought every guy to his knees.
And I was determined to be the one person she truly desires.
I told her that I liked her.
That I've never kissed anyone before.
And she told me, it's okay.
She'd take care of me.
So, I agreed.
She was on top of me, faster than I'd have imagined.
I thought it was like, those cute disney kisses.
Where it'd be a quick puck, and they both shy away.
But it evolved into something more than that.
Next thing I knew, her clothes were coming off.
And so were mine.
It was like instinct.
My first time going so far and I knew what to do?
What is this madness?
I felt like my whole body went on auto pilot.
Like I knew what came next.
I was scared.
And excited at this new adventure.
This passion was intense.
I couldn't not enjoy it.
I've never felt a sensation before.
Then she pulled out a condom.
And I said...
WHOA THERE.
We're only fifteen.
I admire you and all,
But I want to get to know you first.
This was great and all,
But I want our first time to be special.
Then she spoke words that I never imagined her saying.
This isn't my first time...
Then it hit me.
The reason she brought jealousy to her competition.
The reason she brought every guy to his knees.
I found out.
I found out.
It took me so long to find out.
But I found out.
She's a one way ticket.
She only played one night stands.

Unrequited Love.

Precipitation waters the earth, like how a good sleep refreshes the mind.
But the rain turns to snow, like how I'm still frozen, waiting for a sign.
Covers the earth in a white blanket, making the world seem so pure.
If only life was so simple, but the weather's always unsure.
Changes frequently, and so does the mind of those living here.
Troubled by needs and desires, we lose sight of what's dear.
We hand over our life in order to obtain what we lust.
Like how the weather of our country defines who is us.
But you're still so distant like the clouds that float by.
Holding you is impossible cause you're a cloud in the sky.
Always following wherever the wind may take you to.
And I'm on the ground, hoping you'll notice me too.
The Beatles say that love is all we really need.
And that it'll grow, as long as that seed feeds.
But it can't grow without water, air and sunshine.
How can it gain light when I'm never on your mind?
I'm always beneath your shadow, you don't feel the same.
It's your fault that I love you, so you're the one to blame.
If you were not as beautiful as the sun setting on the horizon,
If you were not as lovely as the rising of the sun,
If you were not as caring as the gentle summer breeze,
If you were not as calming as the sounds of crickets and bees,
If your voice was not as warming as the sun in the morning of spring,
Then I would have never felt Cupid's arrow's sting.
I crave your acceptance like a desert for precipitation.
Your importance crept on to me like a thunder storm's invasion.
It was subtle at first, the calm before a storm.
The small hi's and hello's, that's how my feelings were born.
We became close, and it lit sunshine on my heart.
I was going to confess to you that you've stolen my heart.
But I learned that you had feelings for another guy.
You were like water particles that evaporated to the sky.
I had you in my arms, but nature took its course.
There's no point in complain, because it's my fault, of course.
I took too long, took our time for granted.
Being with you was all I ever wanted.
The time we spent use to be like watching the sun set.
Now it's like a tsunami disaster, and I'm trying to forget.
I was swept up, and brought to a distant place.
I hear it's called the friend zone, what a terrifying place.
It's constantly raging of twisters from your words.
Telling me things like, "to me, you mean the world."
In a matter of short words, a thyphoon drowned my smile.
But I hold on, in hopes that everything will be worthwhile.
Earthquakes break apart the land I've nurtured for us.
Volcanos erupt in anger because I can see his eyes filled with lust.
But I cannot break that gentle smile on your face.
So I bear with it, and live in this friend zone place.
Afraid that you would not see what I see in front of me.
Because you could never see you and me as an us and we.
You never saw me like that, I'm trying to steal my heart back from you
And when that happens, I'll make sure to steal your heart too

Ready Or Not

It’s been a while since I flowed straight fire.
I come from a place where we all breathe higher.
Bunch of dudes standing on the block.
Hella people sayin they got their glock cocked.
But I don’t believe them, I try to keep clean.
But I aint inexperienced, the shit that I’ve seen?
You gotta watch your back because up in tdot
They’ll come after you, whether you’re ready or not.
One block, I see a man standin on the corner.
One pop, I see his face in the coroner.
Next day, someone else took his spot.
All day, it’s like a mall parking lot.
See now, the problem that we got.
And we, always hide from the cops.
But we, blame the problem on the cops.
Instead, our doors are always locked
Down, trying to avoid bein’ a snitch.
You know what they say, snitches get stitches.
You know how they play, bitches get wishes.
But it’s a deadly routine, a short lived career.
I pretend not to see, because I’ve lived my life here.
This is the life of a struggling young teen.
So don’t underestimate the scenes teens see.

Nothing to Fear

She felt alone
I felt her pain
Always home
Dealt with pain
I reached out
Ease her pain
She hid herself
To mask the pain

So I let it go,
If she wants to feign
That she's okay,
That she's really sane
I told her that
I'm always here
And that she has
None to fear

But yesterday,
I heard the news
She lost herself,
To her own blues
Her white walls
Dripped with blood

Stopped her mind
From bringing up
All that pain
That lonliness
She was scared
Of being alone
Though she never
Called my phone
And now her life
Has quickly stopped

She'll never see
Tommorow's sun
Never feel
Tommorow's light
Never hear
Tommorow's songs
Never shed
Another tear
But at least now,
She has nothing to fear.

...

After all this time, that wound has never healed.

On Hold.

I'm so confused. I'm trying to make a tumblr but I suppose it'll take a few days for me to get use to it. But it's not like I'm abandoning my blogspot. Nope, this blogspot has helped me express what I'm thinking. Leaving it would be the inhumane thing to do, as ridiculous as that sounds. Feels like a new adventure. I suppose I should open a tumblr, not like I'm doing anything productive.

But I'll be working dilligently (I hope) on my stories. I'd like to finish them before the new year.

lateryears.tumblr.com

Sneak Preview/Reminder

Just a sneak peek for what's coming up with my writing.
I'm working on a written project, for myself of course.
And for those who care to read it.
I'm almost through.
I'll give you the titles of the stories that I'm working on at the moment.
And you may ask yourself, why so many.
A tribute to how much I love writing.
Plus a chance to try different things with each story.
And they are titled...

One Night

Waking Up (This one is already up on my blog, under Midnight Stories.)

Aaron's Story

Sleepless Nights

Seven Day Cruise

From The Start

And as a bonus, here's a little excerpt from "From The Start,"

Thirteen looked at her children's innocent eyes. Tears began rolling down, for she did not know how to explain the situation to her twin children. The shock of what she had just lost is still too fresh in her mind. She embraced the children, and the children hugged her in return. Although, she knew that her children questioned why she was eminating such sorrow and despair. The twins took a step back and her daughter wiped her tear away. Her son grabbed his sisters hand and Thirteen smiled.

"Don't cry," her daughter spoke so innocently, "everything will be okay." As if she really knew what her fragile mother recently witnessed.

"Always take care of your sister," she knew that her time wasn't up just yet, but she spoke as if her impending doom was nearing her heart. The young boy nodded his head. "No matter what, always look out for your twin sister, Aaron."

Four Hours.

Four hours to go till the New Years. This year has been filled with great adventures, impossible obstacles and amazing friends. I just wanted to take this time to thank the few who I am more than proud to call friends. I consider each and every one of these people family. (Not in any particular order.)

Marcus L
John D
Immanuel U
Kim L
Danielle U
Voydie A
Lester P
Lawrence T
John H
Karl N
Kirstie S
Annie A
Everest F
Justin A
Sandy R
Gillian M
L Dalton
Linda K
Beautee A
Chrisshan L
Luxe C
AJ M

Thanks, and remember, I got you fam.