I always wanted to wake up one morning… and look in my mirror, and see something.

Anything really, but I never did. It was as if my face was being obstructed by something else. Being hidden by this… thing. But I realize now, that nothing was obstructing or hiding my face. I was always there. I just didn't want to admit to it.

I grew up thinking that maybe I was someone special. That I'd be a millionaire by the time I was old enough to know the difference between the nickel and the dime.

I'm eighteen now, the same age as a few other kids on my block, and a few of my cousins. They all seem so special somehow, and I feel left out, cause I'm not. I know I'm not.

I can't do anything exceptionally well, and I don't have any hidden talents. I have no talents whatsoever to be exact. Well, if I do have any hidden talents, they're hidden awfully damn well, cause I sure haven't found them.

My thoughts are always cluttered with dark ideas. Mainly about the past. But everyone says that the past can only haunt you, and not hurt you. I don't think any of my friends are orphaned because their mother was sleeping at someone's house, who paid her, and have her father go off and get her in a drunken rage, getting them both killed in a car accident.

But normally I sit and think in front of my big dresser, cause that's where my mirror is. I stare at my reflection. Trying to see past this ugly monster… it's a dark green color and has blood-red eyes. Angry red and envy green. But every time I peel away it's skin, I always see me.

My Grandma lives down the road, and I live with my Aunt and Uncle and their two kids. They treat me like an outsider sometimes… it's horrible, but it's better than my old home and being on my own I guess.

But still, I just always wanted to wake up. Just wanted to see someone special, reflecting in my mirror.

Today I'm waiting for some cousins of mine. We're not really friends, more like acquaintances. But I hang out with them now and again.

We're supposed to go to their house today, don't know why. Something about having to show me… something. Or I'm supposed to do… something. They're really weird sometimes. But they're nice, and funny, so I guess they're ok.

"Charlie, the boys are waiting for you in the parlor with Chris and Justin."

I looked away from my mirror to see my aunt's concerned face. "Okay, Aunt Dianne." I turned back around to face my reflection one more time.

"Are you going to wear a dress?"

My face screwed up in confusion, "Why?"

"All young ladies wear dresses or skirts when going out with boys." She answered me smiling brightly.

I couldn't help but laugh. "I'm a tom-boy, not a young lady." I told her smiling back.

She shook her head sadly. She always wanted a girl to dress up, what with only having Chris and Justin, she thought that she could use me as her dolly. She was quite disappointed when I showed up in blue jeans that had holes in the knees and a tee that had an equal amount of holes in it as well.

Though I do humor her now and again, and wear a skirt every once in a while to Sunday church, she's happy enough with that. Personally I think she just wants to see me squirm in the uncomfortable thing. Plus be humiliated by Chris and Justin while Uncle Tom smiles and says I look beautiful. I think he's just trying to be nice.

I have freckles sprinkling all over my upturned nose. It's annoying and so not beautiful. I'm thinking he needs to get either his eyes or head examined. I'm still debating on that.

Reluctantly I stood from my little bench seat, and smoothed my sweater down. It was a gift from my aunt, so it was slightly tight fitting. Which meant I was also uncomfortable in this too, but I wear it so as not to hurt her feelings.

"I'm coming." I ran a comb through my hair carelessly, then grabbed for my scrunchie that was hung around my bedpost.

Pulling back my long golden mane of hair, I frowned at her frown. "What?"

"You should leave your hair down." She said gently.

I sighed, I knew she was going to give me more beauty tips. I just knew it. When would she ever learn that an ugly duckling could never turn into a beautiful swan?

Yet, I found myself humoring her again… and putting myself out.

I walked out of my room, before she could suggest anymore changes to me, and went straight for the stairs. Anything to get away from her. I'd even endure an hour soccer game with the guys if it meant getting away from that crazy loon.

Slightly running, I stood in the entryway of the parlor where everyone seemed to be lazing around waiting for me.

"Let's go." I said anxiously, my eyes scanning behind me to see my aunt coming down the stairs.

They knew I couldn't stand my aunt, and found humor in my discomfort, what can I say, guys are jerks.

As they moved extremely slowly towards the front door, I heard my aunt warn me not to get too dirty, violent, or hurt.

It was enough to make me blush, roll my eyes, and for all the guys to laugh.

Oh yeah, I loved that old hag. And you can insert a heavy amount of sarcasm here.

We were walking down the block, in the opposite direction of my grandma's house, the guys found it to be quite awkward in her pink house, I did too, but I truly loved her, she never tried to change me. Though she did have the tendency to talk an awful lot on the good ol' days as she called it.

"So what's up?" My cousin Taylor asked politely.

He was always polite, kinda made me worry about him. Because if he ever got in a real fight I keep thinking he's going to say, 'Excuse me, but please let's not fight.'

Shaking my head of the funny thought, I looked up at him and smiled, our noses looked quite similar. I shook my head of that thought too and decided to answer him.

"Nothin' just wanting to wake up."

"Wake up from what?" Zac asked. He was my other cousin, quite a hyper active kid, but really funny.

"Just wake up." I said shrugging.

How else could I explain it?

Chris and Justin found it funny, I don't know why though. Boys are definitely strange… and jerks.

Isaac didn't say anything, didn't comment on it. I wonder if he knew what I meant, but I never know. Did I mention guys were jerks?

Anyway, they decided not to torture me too much today, that means we didn't play soccer. Thank you, God. I promise I'll wear that hideous black skirt next Sunday now.

Instead we went to my cousins house to hang. Doesn't bother me any, though I have never been there before. But I guess even we getta do something new once in a great while.

We quickly shot past their family members… there sure were a lot of them! I swear, everytime we went around a corner, another face popped up.

After ending up into a, I guess, a studio. Chris and Justin rushed me over to the couch and sat me down in between them. Yeah, that makes me feel comfortable. Being stuck squished between two guys on a small couch. I hate it when people invade my personal space.

My other three cousins stood behind instruments. I didn’t know they played. I guess they're just starting some garage band. Whatever makes them happy and passes their time I guess.

They started playing… and actually extremely well I might add.

I just loved the song… so beautiful. I made them play through it twice. I had to. It was so mesmerizing.

I didn't know exactly why they wrote that song. Or if in fact it was theirs. But all I know is that it kept talking about waking up. I definitely could relate to it. It made me wake up.

"You guys could be famous!" I shouted ecstatically.

They all stared at me for a few seconds before they all started laughing again.

By the way, did I ever mention guys are jerks?

But I was smiling for the remainder of that day, I woke up.