I walked down the streets of New York City, rubbing my bare hands together trying to make myself warm. It was nearly Christmas, and it was already snowing. My black hood was pulled over my head, trying to avoid eye sight from anybody. It’s been five months since leaving New Jersey, and it hasn’t been easy, or hard at all. We were able to pay for a decent apartment, clothes, and food, we were able to walk around New York City without feeling strange, but we couldn’t help the feeling of being alone all the time. Always the same person to talk to, every day, unable to meet new people, chat online. We were always afraid from walking away from what had happened. It seemed like they had gotten over it, but I hadn’t, I sure hadn’t, and I don’t think I ever will. Every day I run what had happened through my mind, trying to make sense of it. But I never did.

As for the cut, which I call a scar now, hasn’t healed. It’s still as red as the second I got it. It will never heal, but thank god it doesn’t hurt anymore. I still wrap it though, I don’t want to risk it getting hurt again. I was still 12 and it sucked. I didn’t grow at all, I didn’t gain, or lose any weight.My seeing, strangely, had gotten better, and my hair had grown a little too. Neal had gotten about two inches taller, and so did Angelica. Her hair had grown pretty long, and strangely so did Neal’s, but he had cut it to his normal length a couple weeks ago. His voice had gotten a little deeper, but other than that, they both hadn’t changed much either. I was walking back from the gym. I had to keep myself in shape, or else I would go crazy. Neal and Angelica were supposedly going Christmas shopping.

I was still thinking about what I was going to do with my life. I mean, I couldn’t live here for ever, I had to get a career someday right? I arrived at a five story, brick apartment building. I walked in walking up to the top floor. I got onto my toes, reaching for the key on the door frame, I grabbed it and put it into the door knob, turning it several times to get it open. Once it did, I walked in, to see Neal laying on the couch.

“Where’s...”

“She’s still out.” he said cutting me off. I shrugged my shoulders, tossing the key onto the counter top in the kitchen. I walked into my room, taking off my sweatshirt and throwing it onto the ground.I threw myself onto my bed resting my head on my black pillow.

I can’t sleep at night though. I don’t sleep much at all. I usually go on the computer and bought some clothes. I don’t know why, but at first I thought I was turning into a vampire, but after a while I figured since I wasn’t craving for blood, that I wasn’t. I ignored it. I didn’t let it bother me, or freak me out.

I almost forgot.

I got off my bed, walking into my bathroom. I opened the mirrored cabinet, taking out a bottle of Alcohol. I took out a cotton square and lay it on the sink. I started to unwrap my bandage on my hand, tossing it into the garbage. I looked at it, tracing over it, flinching as it was so tender. I dabbed alcohol onto the cotton, and slowly put it on my scar. It burned a little, but not for long. I took out another bandage, and started to wrap it around my hand. Not only did I try to make sense of what had happened, but I also tried to make sense of what he said. It was as if he were insane, like he didn’t even know what he was talking about, or doing.

But he’s dead now.

And I have to forget him at some point.

I heard the door open. I quickly cleaned up the bathroom, putting everything away, and walked into the living room, to see Neal.

“She’s still not back?” I asked.

“It’s only been ten minutes since you got home.” he replied as if he didn’t care.

“Then why are you checking to see if she’s coming?” I asked, trying to corner him in a question. I smiled, letting him know I was joking. He sat back down turning the TV off.

“I’m gonna take a nap.” he said.

“I’ll be back, I wanna see what’s taking her.” I pulled my sweatshirt over me, and put my shoes on. I took the key, and walked out, putting the key back onto the door frame after locking it. We decided that if there are two people home, to leave the door unlocked, but when there was only one person home, to leave it locked. I walked back down the flight of stairs, and walked out to a harsh wind.

Angelica’s POV

I hope they’re not worried about me. I tried to walk quicker, carrying a couple of bags. I tried not to get distracted from any other stores. I felt a bag drop. I turned around, and saw that some one had already picked it up for me.

“Here.” a boy, who looked about 14 said. He had, short, black, shaved hair. He had a Volcom skate shirt on, with jeans. But that didn’t matter, I mostly paid attention to his eye. It had a flamed tattoo on it. It went passed his ear too.

“Oh, thanks.” I said taking it, blushing. I was about to walk off when.

“Wait.” he said.

“Who are you? I haven’t seen you around these parts before.” he asked. I was shocked at his question.

“I’m Angelica, I live a couple blocks away.”

“Oh, I’m Zuko, I live...well, here.” he said extending his arms to the neighborhood. I nodded, not wanting to sound rood by saying, “where?”.

“ I know this sounds a little silly, but you want to hang out or something, it’s just really boring around here, and well, it’s never any fun without a friend to hang out with.” I just stared at him. Did he just ask me out?

“Uhh, well, I, you see.” I tried to come up with an excuse, but then thought back. I never meet anyone new, or talk to anybody but Neal, and Devon. I think I can take care of myself.

“Sure.” I said smiling.

“Ok, cool, just meet up here.” he said. I nodded. I turned around about to jog off, until I ran into Devon.

“Sorry.” Devon said.

“It’s ok, I thought you’d be coming home from the gym a while ago.” I said.

“I did, I was looking for you, Neal was getting worried, I just wanted to make sure you were, at least, on your way home.” she explained. I nodded.

“Well here.” I handed her a couple of the bags I was carrying. “Since you’re here, you can help me carry this.” I said. She smiled rolling her eyes. I wanted to tell her about Zu- Zo...wow, I don’t even remember his name! Zuko! That’s it, I think. But I couldn’t. It would cause too much trouble. We walked back to the apartment, and into our place.

Devon’s POV

I put down the bags. All of a sudden, I felt a sharp pain on my hand. I had to react quickly so I wouldn’t look suspicious. I held my stomach.

“Whoa, are you ok Devon?” Angelica asked.

“I don’t feel so good.” I lied. I ran into my bathroom, closing, and locking the door. I ripped off the bandage, like I was digging for treasure. I turned the sink on cold, and put my scar under it. It didn’t help, but the burning sensation was too hot to handle. After it had stopped, I turned the sink off, taking deep breaths. I sat down on the floor of the bathroom, leaning against the tub, my hand shaking.

A knock on the door.

“Devon, you alright?” I heard Neal’s voice say.

“I’m fine.” I wiped the water off my hand. I got up, putting the scraps of cotton, and bandage into the garbage, and didn’t put another one on. I looked at the scar before walking out, to see what had caused it. But it hadn’t changed, it was the same as before. I walked out, hearing Angelica take her stuff out of the bags. I looked at the clock. It was almost nine. I walked into my room, taking my clothes off, and getting into shorts, and a tank top. I walked over to my bed. I lay down, throwing the pillows off. I tried to fall asleep. But I couldn’t. And with that, I knew it was going to be a long night.