Chapter 1: Tacos

The only thing to do now was run out the door and to my favorite spot in the world. The violence in my house was to much to handle, even for a 17 year old. I shouldn’t have to go through the raging fights my parents had night after night. I grabbed my skateboard and ran for the street. Three blocks and I would be there: the most awesome place to be in the world. The Skate Park. Running as fast as I could, I hurdled through the gates and to my spot. Over the wet grass and into the Iron gates, I slammed my board to the ground and hopped on. Here was the only real place I could escape. The people that came here knew what I go through day after day; they have somewhat similar stories.

“Sup, Girl?” Marcus called to me. He had been my best friend since Andrea left. She had been sick and transported to California for treatment.

“What Up,” I answered. I let him have his moment, but deeply I was lost in thought on how my parents had started their annual fight for the night. From what I could tell, it was a thrown beer bottle by my dad, at my unlucky mother. Leum, my little brother, had started crying and screaming, which was enough for me. It took two seconds for me to burst out of the door laughing violently.

He skateboarded next to me, smiling and laughing, joyful that he had found me. “You’ve been gone forever! Why haven’t you called?” he asked. He was my friend because he had no interest in girls. He had a boyfriend who I barely knew, but he was happy with him. That’s all that mattered to me.

“The usual. Grounded forever, fighting, and getting caught too much,” I told him. He was used to me talking about stuff that I could seriously get arrested for. Skateboarding had kept me out of further trouble I would’ve gotten into, but I still make mistakes, you know. He laughed at my response, he was more than used to it, but it got him every time.

“Dude, you need to stay outta trouble. You’ll get yourself killed! Or worse: Arrested.” he said jokingly. He was usually the funniest person I knew, even out of my stupid rat of a brother, who’s lame tricks never worked. We sat down on the grass far into the park, farther than my parents could see from the gate they weren’t allowed to go through. I rolled my eyes at him, plopping down on the ground. “Guess what?” he asked. Not waiting for my response, he pulled out a paper bag. “I got tacos!!” he exclaimed. He always stopped by the local Taqueria on his way from his house to the Skate Park, always grabbing me one just in case.

“Ugh,” I groaned dramatically. “Haven’t we had those for 4 nights now?” I asked. He never took this offensively, relying on the fact that I always ate them. He handed me one crunchy taco and I didn’t refuse.

“So Danielle?” he asked, sounding confused.

“What?” I replied. I had no idea what he was asking, or what it would lead to.

“So me and Jake are going to the movies Friday… You wanna come?” he asked. My head hung unresponsive. Marcus never brought anyone on his dates with Jake.

“S-sure,” I stuttered. Shocked, I folded my arms into my lap and took a huge bite out of my taco. Realizing the ever-so bland taste, I grimaced and forced it down my throat. He seemed preoccupied in his thoughts.He was such a dreamer; I just wish there was a strait guy with so much guts and strength as Marcus. He was a real dreamer: he was my best friend.

“Great!” he exclaimed. He gave me his signature bear hug and finished his taco. He was so obsessed with tacos these days, it was practically crazy. But, he was cool like that. “So call me tonight! We need to discuss what your going to wear in front of my man.”

 ”I’ll tell you what I’m wearing when Ifind out what I’m wearing,” I joked. I muttered a few laughs and walked out of the skate park.