128 Chapter 53 - Mariano (1)

12 YEARS OLD

I'm listening to Matchbox 20's song "Bent" on my new iPod as I shade the edges of the hand on my drawing pad with a graphite pencil, not quite satisfied with the current shape yet. I like to listen to music whenever I'm working on something. It shuts out the noise around me and I can concentrate on a task. Sometimes I could be listening to one song over and over and spend hours sketching a single subject, like the song I'm listening to.

Though I'm not sure I understand this song so well, I just know I like how it sounds. I think it's about someone asking for someone else to help him because he's scared that he'll remain broken or something like that. Whatever.

The music cuts off when my earphones are yanked out of my ears. I instantly grip the pencil on instinct, and my eyes snap to the culprit. Then I realize there's no threat when I see Paolo Vitale sitting at the edge of the bed.