Hi my name is Erica and I'm from Jamaica. I always thought my adoptive parents were the best people on earth but I was totally shattered when I found out what they were hiding from me.

Growing up I felt nothing but love from Mom and Dad, especially since I had a rare skin condition called xeroderma pigmentosum. It basically means my skin is sensitive to sunlight. I was homeschooled and I had everything I needed including an indoor swimming pool, tennis court and garden. I really didn't feel any need to venture into the outside world until Milan moved in next door.

Milan was the cutest 16yr old boy I'd ever seen and with his bedroom opposite my own it was easy to catch glimpses of him during the day. 

A few weeks after he'd moved in, he caught me looking at him and my face turned as red as a tomato. I quickly closed my curtains. When I peeked out again he stuck a piece of cardboard with his number on it. I don't usually do things like that but I entered the number in my phone and that's how we began to chat online. 

One afternoon the doorbell rang and Mom answered it. It was Milan. 

"Good evening, I came to ask your permission to take Erica out on a date."

"I've heard about you Milan and there is no way my Erica is going to be seen with a gang leader."

Mom slammed the door in his face and I snuck back to my room shocked. A gang leader? Mom must be mistaken. Gang leaders are vile, obscene, tattooed creatures. Milan was respectful, funny and well educated. 

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