Prologue: Silence

"This is the sign for 'A'." The lady put her index finger on the opposite thumb. This was mind numbingly boring. I was in year five at the time when we were told we were to have an exchange student come over who happened to be deaf. Everyone was annoyed and when he appeared, they didn't even try. They made faces at him and wouldn't bother to use signs back.

I remember him asking someone where the bathroom was. I was sitting against the wall at the time, talking with the few friends I had, when they responded. They didn't exactly respond in a nice way. They simply moved their mouths, not letting a single word out. The kid's friends laughed as they watched the poor boy try to lip read (because when he learned sign as a child the teacher would talk as well).

Someone nudged my arm. "He's quite attractive. Shame he can't hear."

My other friend chuckled. "People keep messing with him and he hasn't even noticed." They gave me a glance. "You feel sorry for him, Caroline?"

I gave them a glare, crossing my arms. "Why would I?"

They smirked. "Then you wouldn't mind helping us?"

Before I could respond, they pulled me to my feet and we walked over to the boy.

My friend did some signs. Need help?

He smiled and nodded. Where is the bathroom?

My other friend pointed over to the other side of the school.

He returned a smile at all of us and wandered over there.

"But, the bathrooms aren't there."

"He doesn't know that," they replied.

This lasted for months and a year. In the middle of year six the bullying became worse and worse. When he tried to sign, kids would slap his hands, making him unable to sign. If he tried to lipread they would pull his ear or his hair. He never told the teachers. He never told his parents. He never asked anyone for help. He just kept trying to live.

One cold, winter morning, the leaves rustling outside the hall,  there was terrible news spreading.

"He's what?!" expressed my friend, spitting out her juice.

"You heard me," said the other, "he popped some pills and then was gone. Little weasel."

"Must of been sick of being a weirdo."

I just stayed silent, watching as everyone whispered to each other, expressing their hate for the lonely boy. I could remember the look in his eyes when someone would just leave him in the middle of signing, looking hurt but would quickly cover it up. I remember my friends leading him straight to where the main bullies were, causing him to be pushed into a bin. I remember not helping him.

It was something you would see in a movie or maybe a story. But, he was gone. Sure, there were jokes about him dying, some even said it to his face.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Every time I closed my eyes I saw him in his room, crying quietly in the corner, his hands shaking as the pills entered his mouth and crimson slid down his damaged arm, falling to the ground. Until, finally, the dizziness kicked in, and his head met the cold, stained floor. His hand fell limp beside him. One last breath struggled. Then, his eyes went silent. The silence he was all too aware of, forever surrounding him.

Chapter One: Firefly Lights

I walked down the cold alley, hearing the familiar sound of sirens ringing in my ears. I adjusted the bag on my back as I approached the fence. Looking to my left, I picked up the blanket lying on the ground, finding the key, then placed it in the padlock that held together the chains. It opened with a click and the gate made a screeching noise as I pulled it open, then walked through.

The gate closed and, me now crouched and my arm through one of the holes, I locked the gate again and hid the key back under the blanket, before turning back to face the remainder of the alley.

"No," I breathed. Night was going to hit soon, and my parents were going to be home very soon and curfew, for all their children, ended in ten minutes.

I began to pick up the pace. I turned the corner. I was so close.

I finally became face to face with our two story house. Entering the threshold, I got tackled into a hug by my little sister. I stroked her long dark hair.

"What's wrong, Nisha?"

Nisha smiled and let go. "Nothing. But mum and dad will be back soon."

I nodded and took a step, before she grabbed my arm. "Yes?"

"Do you have it."

I knelt down in front of her. "Of course." She smiled the brightest of smiles as I went through my bag and pulled out this small, silver badge. It was a deer standing on this patch of land within the circle. Her face lit up at the sight of it. I held it out to her and she took it from me, then shoved it in her pocket.

"Thanks sis!"

I smiled back as I stood up, staring towards the stairs. I turned back to my sister and held my finger to my mouth. "If mum or dad ask, I was here the whole day. Right?"

She held out her hands and put her thumbs up. I winked and walked up the stairs, walking down the hall. I knocked on my brothers door, it opening slightly.

"Danny?"

I heard someone take a few steps, and I was met with my tall, older brother. He was wearing his usual plain shirt and black, ripped jeans. His dark hair was messy and his smile was sincere as he looked down at me, me being able to see his rings, one on the bottom right lip and the other on the bottom left lip, clearly.

"Yes?"

"You might wanna say bye to your boyfriend."

His eyes widened. "What?! What time is it?!"

"You've got five minutes."

He ran a hand through his hair, before sighing, then he turned around and said, "I'll see you tomorrow."

I heard a voice, but I didn't hear what he said, all I know is that it caused my brother to smile wider.

"It's a good thing your window leads to the side."

He chuckled, turning back to me. "Yes it is."

I looked past my brother and saw a boy with jet black hair, with a streak of purple at the fringe covering his right eye, in a black jacket and a pair of black jeans. He chucked his leg over the window and the other, then was climbing down.

I moved my eyes back to my brother, who had moved from his door and was putting the pillows back on the bed.

He smiled at me and I put my fingers to my lips, him returning the favour, before I shut the door between us and turned and was immediately faced by my door at the end of the hall

The door closed. My room was very plain. It had a bed on the right wall, with a poster of my favourite television show, and a wardrobe on the on the left side. It was covered in photos of all my primary school friends, except I had drawn devil horns and stuff all over the pictures. Then there were photos of my little sister with her golden hair which now was close to black. I spotted the photos of my brother. Year seven he dated this kid called Tom, then another guy called Liam, then Joe, and then this other kid who he only dated for, like, a week. One photo of him caught my eye. It was him from year seven, term two. There was a green field behind him and this other guy, who was holding his hand while looking at this colourful tree in the background with sheer adoration. The boy had blond, short hair and was wearing a loose black and red striped shirt with a pair of dark jeans, while Danny was wearing a plain black shirt with an undone green and black checkered flannel over the top, with black jeans. His hair was still scruffy, but he didn't have his piercings yet, just a sweet smile as he looked at the camera. The other boy was only in that photo, but I could remember who he was. He was Danny's third boyfriend, but the longest. It ended with him moving overseas and Danny was closed off for a while, until he just kept dating new guys. We couldn't tell mum or dad why Danny was upset, but that was because they had no clue he was gay.

The sound of the front door closing startled me and I automatically jumped into my bed, pretending to play my guitar lying down.

"We are wild

We are like young volcanoes

We are wild

Americana-"

Knock. Knock.

I moved my eyes to the door. "What?"

"Dinner. We bought food on the way home," said my mum's voice.

"Thanks," I said finally, as I put my guitar down and slid off the bed.

My sister reached out for the potatoes, but my brother grabbed them for her and plopped some on her plate. She smiled gratefully and had some chicken. I watched her cover the chicken in potato, before my brother kicked my foot from the right of me.

I automatically looked up to see my mum staring at me over her glass of wine.

"What do you think darling?"

My eyes widened. "Y-yeah? Sure."

She took a sip of her wine as I glanced over to my brother and mouthed the word 'what?'

He smiled charmingly before looking over at my mum. "She has been practicing her maths a lot."

Oh, so that was it. He always saved me from my day dreaming.

"What about your music?"

"John," snapped my mum. "She needs to focus on her school work." She gave me a glance and smiled.

My father sighed. "I do agree. I was just a little curious, that's all." He took a bite of his chicken, before returning back to the conversation with my mum about taxes or something.

My brother sent me a glance, and spoke in a low voice. "How is your music going?"

I shrugged. "I've been working on a song, actually."

"Could I hear it?"

"I can show you tomorrow? You know, after-"

"Hey, Danny?" spoke up Dad.

Danny tore his gaze away from me and looked at his father. "Yeeees?"

"I saw Felicia today."

He blinked twice. "Pardon?"

Dad pointed his fork toward my brother. "That girl that works at the cafe near my work. She is very pretty, perfect for you."

"Oh, really?" Danny raised his eyebrows. "Perfect is such a strong word."

"She is very pretty," dad repeated. "She-"

"I'm flattered, but I'm not interested. Trying to focus on year eleven, you know?"

Mum smiled. "Very good, darling."

My brother stayed quiet, till he decided to just get up. "Excuse me, I have work to do." He dropped his plate into the sink then walked up the stairs to his room.

"I'm full too. You done, Nisha?"

She shook her head, staring at her food.

"Okay. Night." I placed my plate on top of Danny's, then headed upstairs.

Passing his room, I could hear him talking on the phone, presumably to that guy that had escaped through the window.

I knocked twice.

"Yeah, I'll be there. Bye." He hung up and opened the door. "What's up?"

I looked around his room, he had his wallet on his bed and was putting on a black jacket.

"You going out?"

He opened the door fully and picked up his wallet, before looking back up at me, putting the wallet away, and adjusting his black gloves. "Yes."

"Where?"

He smirked. "Well aren't you noisy, little miss." He ruffled my hair and closed his cupboard. "If you must know, I'm just going to the park. Don't worry, there will be no alcohol, it's just a little party a friend invited me to."

I glanced over to his pin board covered in paper and drawings. "Uh huh..."

"You can come if you want?"

I looked up at him. "Does mum know?"

He rolled his eyes. "Mum doesn't care what I do, as long as I've done all my work." He picked up a book from his desk and chucked it toward me. I caught it, nearly dropping it. "See for yourself, noisy." He grinned as I opened it and he walked over to the window.

I looked up from the book of papers and essays. "Why climb out the window, then?"

He shrugged and looked over his shoulder. "It's way more fun. Do you need to grab a warmer jacket?"

I looked down at my attire. I was wearing a dark, long sleeve with black tights and a red skirt that went out a bit and reached my knees. "I'm not wearing a jacket-" My vision was blurred as a green thing hit my face. I pulled the jacket off.

"You can borrow that."

I stared at it. The cardigan was camouflage and had spikes on the shoulders. "Cool. Thanks."

"Good. Now, come on." He opened the window and swung his legs over, before disappearing. I followed him, sliding down the water pipe.

"Ow!" I hit the ground, the night air hitting my skin.

"Let's go." He started to walk as I stumbled after him.

"Wait up!"

He walked into our open garage and pulled out his motorbike. He chucked me a helmet and a jacket.

"Wait. We're riding on that?!"

He pulled on his jacket. His voice was muffled with the red and black helmet on as he adjusted the gloves again. "It is a beautiful bike, thank you." He swung his leg over the jet black bike, turning to me. "Put on your gear, and get on."

I blinked. I shoved on the jacket, then pulled the purple helmet over my head. "Who's helmet is this?"

"Carrie's."

"Carrie rides?!"

He chuckled. "Yes, only to impress guys. The last time she was over, she left her gear here."

"Isn't she in Canada now? She left, like, A YEAR AGO!"

He nodded. "Which is why she hasn't picked it up. Now quit complaining and get on, little miss."

I sighed and stood on my toes to get on, hearing the engine hum.

He revved the bike, before it sped down the driveway, and through the street. I clutched onto him for my life. I felt as if I was just going to fall off and skid on the ground.

We turned another corner. "You have to lean with me!" he called over his shoulder, me nodding in return.

We turned another. And another. Then another.

He pulled off the jacket and helmet, putting them in the little locked carrier at the back. I passed him mine and he did the same, then locked it.

"Wow," I breathed. It was really cool. It was an ordinary park usually, with the normal lake flowing. But it was not tonight. Tonight, white lights hung on trees, which looked like Christmas decorations, or never blinking fireflies, and the lake sparkled under the illuminating trees. There were tables covered with food and a stereo with music pumping out. I could see a large group dancing, and a few people talking under trees, holding plastic cups.

"May have lied about the alcohol," he whispered, snapping me out of my daze.

"Do you drink?"

He shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "The smell makes me sick, I doubt I could stomach it. Oh, hey." He waved at a boy who was talking to a few friends. It was the same guy that climbed out the window, and he was wearing the same clothes. He approached and kissed Danny's cheek, before giving him a quick hug.

"Who's this?" he asked, gesturing to me.

"I'm Caroline." I didn't smile, just looked at him as he did.

"Cool. I'm Charlie."

I nodded. "Cool," I stated, not really paying attention.

Charlie whispered something into my brother's ear, causing him to nod and smile. "Hey, little miss, I'm just going over to talk to people with Charlie. Will you be right?"

I hesitated before agreeing, forgetting who Charlie was for a second, and watched the two walk off. I stood there for a few second, until I got bored and walked away myself, towards are group of empty seats.

All I could see was dancing, kissing, chatting and laughing. I swear a whole hour of me constantly changing positions passed. People came and went. But, nonetheless, the party only grew.

I heard someone make a noise so I looked up, and my eyes met another teenagers. He looked the same age as me and was wearing a black trenchcoat, green shirt, and black jeans. His hands were stuffed in his pockets as he stood in front of me and his black hair moved in the wind.

"Hello?"

He smiled down at me, before doing some signs. I'm Taylor.

I had to think about it for a second, before responding. I'm Caroline. What's up?

Not much. My sister made me come. She said I need to socialize or something. He rolled his eyes.

I couldn't help but smile. My brother asked if I wanted to join. I only agreed so I could escape my house and then insisted he go hang with his boyfriend so I could sit here by myself.

He flushed. I can leave, if you want?

No. You can stay. I smiled and he smiled back. I offered him a chair and he sat, watching the people dance.

Do you think they are tired?

Maybe they'll just collapse and fall asleep.

In the dirt?

He nodded, I smiled.

What if the lake overflows?

Then some will get a midnight swim. He shrugged.

I wouldn't be surprised if that happens anyway.

He chuckled, his coat blowing in the wind. How do you know sign?

My stomach knotted at the thought of the other boy doing signs and getting no response. We learnt it in primary school. You? I'm an idiot. I immediately regretted saying the last part, but he just smiled.

I have experience.

Of course you do. I smiled again, before looking up to see people stumbling over and spilling drinks on each other. Sorry, I bet to find my brother before he says something and gets punched by an idiot.

He nodded and I rose, walking through all the crowds.

I didn't find my brother for about five minutes, until, finally getting past the dancing puppets, I saw him against a tree, kissing Charlie, and they were both red in the face, with Charlie's hands climbing up Danny's waist and Danny's hands connecting around Charlie's neck.

"Ahem," I coughed, and Charlie broke the kiss, but started kissing my brothers neck.

Danny looked at me and I waved awkwardly, him smiling back. This was not an unusual sight for me to find. But it was usually a different person every few times.

"Do ... you want ... to go ... home?" asked my brother, attempting to ignore the kisses running up his neck to his lips again.

I scratched my head awkwardly. "Uhh ... Yeah, I've got things to do tomorrow and it's twelve."

Danny broke the kiss and whispered something to Charlie, and he looked at me, then back at Danny.

He let go and looked back at me, still keeping an arm around Danny's waist. "I could drive you and your brother home, if you want?"

I smiled at him awkwardly, him smiling back. Obviously they were going to drive me back then come back, and Danny wouldn't leave for hours and would return with his bike. It was fair enough, I guess. He never got to spend time with people unless mum and dad were out or he leaved the house. He had school but it was not the same.

"Do you want to do that, Little miss?" Insisted my brother, so I just nodded.

Charlie let go and hurriedly walked towards the parking lot, us following, and unlocked a black, spacious car. He stepped in the driver's seat and I went into the back, while my brother stepped into the front next to him.

I rested my head back. "How long have you known Danny for?" I asked, impulsively.

I heard Danny take a breath before Charlie spoke. "We're in the same art class together." He turned the key and we began driving. "Have been for a week now, since I just moved here from Los Angeles."

I couldn't detect much of an accent in him.

"How did you two meet, though?" Why did I always do this?

"We got paired together for an art project."

"Oh, is that why you were over this afternoon?"

He paused, but my brother interrupted. "Exactly."

I just stayed quiet for the rest of the car ride, not wanting to deal with a possible awkward conversation. I was actually really tired, so I nearly drifted off, but the sound of my brother chuckling made me wake up. My eyes fluttered open and I put my hand on the car seat in front, pulling myself up. "Are we home yet?" I asked tiredly.

Danny broke away from Charlie's lips, then looked at me. "Yeah. See you little miss."

I closed the door then ducked down, waving at him before Charlie pulled him by his collar and they continued kissing.

I walked to the side of the house where the big tree was near my window, and then grabbed hold of branches, climbing to my window and pulling it open.

I stumbled in and fell on my face. "Ow," I groaned. I got up, on shaky arms, and closed the window. I pulled off his jacket and, throwing it over a chair, I collapsed on the bed, then turned to see my digital clock.

12:45

I didn't remember it taking forty minutes to drive from here to the park.

Rolling my eyes, I pulled off my shoes, still lying down, threw them towards the cupboards, then pulled up the blanket.

Beep! Beep! Beep-

"Ow!" I rubbed my head and sat up, before disentangling myself from the blanket and rising from the floor.

Knock, knock.

"What?" I groaned, rubbing my temples.

The door creaked open and my sister appeared, her hair tied into a bun and wearing blue shorts and a red shirt with a picture of a black, broken heart. Good on me for buying her that for Christmas. "I'm hungry."

"What time is it?" I asked, tiredly, sitting back on my bed.

"Eight."

I groaned and fell back, hitting my head on the wall. I sat back up immediately, now with a throbbing in my head, then looked at my sister. "You know how to make food."

"Yes, but I can't reach the bread."

I walked over to my chair and picked up Danny's jacket, chucking it over my shoulder. "Okay, let me give this to Danny."

She smiled and nodded, before leaving.

Knock, knock, knock, knock-

"What?" demanded a tired Danny.

I opened the door and threw the jacket on his face, but the jacket came flying back. "Thanks for being helpful."

"Anytime," he replied.

I threw it at him, and he threw it back. "What are you doing?!"

"Sh, sh, sh, shhhhhhh. It's early, and you're yelling, and you're voice is squeaky."

"My voice is. Not. Squeaky."

"Yeah, yeah." He sat up, running a hand through his dark hair. He got up, only wearing jeans, and moved to his mirror, playing with his hair. "I need to go get my hair done."

"Dye or cut?"

"Dye." He walked to his wardrobe and whacked on a shirt, then pulled on his fingerless, skull gloves.

"Did you steal my eyeliner?" I accused, pointing at the makeup on his desk.

"Why would I do that?"

"Because you're you. And you went to that goth party last week."

"Oh yeah. Here." He threw it at me. I dropped the jacket and tried to catch the eyeliner, it bouncing in my hands a few times before I caught it and picked up the jacket again, throwing it back.

He caught it. "I'm confused as to why you have eyeliner. You don't wear makeup." He threw it back.

I scowled and watched as he looked for his wallet in another pair of jeans that were discarded on the floor. "What time did you get home?"

"Uh ... Three? Or four? I don't remem-HERE!" He pulled out a leather wallet. "Now, where's my phone?"

"Left in that boys car?"

"Tom?"

"Charlie, you idiot. Wait, you saw Tom?!"

He just continued looking through his things. "Yeah."

"And he drove you home?"

"Yep." He started to look through another pair of pants, then ripped off the blanket.

"Right ... Why?"

"Charlie fell into a conversation with an ex, that ended in a little more than a conversation," he stated, still mainly focusing on finding his phone by throwing the pillows. "Then Tom was there and he offered to drive me home."

"I thought you swore to never see him again after he sold your old helmet to pay for a present for his new-old-boyfriend?"

He shrugged, throwing the pillows back on the bed. "It was an accident. I didn't kiss him or anything."

"Oh, yeah? Then what did you do?"

"Well," he started, checking his wardrobe for his phone, "we talked about life since year seven-"

"Then you kissed him?"

"No." He shut the cupboard. "Then I found Charlie making out with his ex-"

"Then you kissed."

He checked his desk. "I didn't kiss him," he mumbled loud enough for me to hear, as he continued looking. "Then he felt bad for me and we talked for a little longer."

"No kissing?"

"No kissing," he sighed. "Turns out, his grandpa survived the surgery."

"The one with the tattoos? Or the one who kept yelling at you because of your hair?"

"The non-scary one," he assured. "And you know his sister?"

"Brown hair?"

"Yes, with the ridiculously short-shorts. She got a scholarship at some school."

"Good for her."

He stuffed his hands in his pillows, hoping to find the phone. "Then he offered to drive me home, because I was too tired to ride back, and I instructed him on the way because it had been so long-found it!" He grabbed the phone from his side table. "Then we kissed."

"You said you didn't kiss him!"

"I lied." He threw the discarded jeans into his washing basket beside the bed, before turning back to me, and sighing. "Why are you still standing there?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're still standing there, which means you want something."

"What I want is to give you back your jumper."

He walked over. "In that case..." And he snatched the jacket from my grasp, then shut the door in my face.

I jumped back, holding my nose. "Ow! You ass!"

"Did that hit you!" he called through the door, obviously away and presumably fixing his bed now from the disaster that was him finding his phone.

"Yes!"

"Good. Love you!"

"Ass!"

"Thank you!"

I rolled my eyes and continued down the hall.

I walked into the kitchen and was met with my sister standing on a chair trying to reach the cupboard. "What are you doing?"

She took a step back, losing her balance. "Wha!"

I caught her and put her down. "Don't do that."

"I'm not a kid."

"Sure you aren't," said Danny, entering the room and grabbing an apple from the bowl. "You're just a seven year old girl, not a kid."

"Thank you," Nisha said, holding her head high.

"You patronizing bitch."

"Heard that!" he called, walking into the lounge room and snatching his beanie from the couch.

"You going to get your bike back?"

He made a noise from the back of his throat. "Too far to walk. A friend is dropping it over so I," he started, pulling his phone out and texting someone, "am going with another friend to get my hair done."

"You really need to get a car."

"You really need to get a life!" he called back as he closed the door behind him.

"What a girl-" I jumped back, startled when he tapped on the window next to me.

He made a heart shape with his hands as I glared, then he walked off towards a black car, but a different one from yesterday.

Something pulled on my shirt. "Yes?" I looked down at her pale face.

"Can I please have the bread now?"

"R-right ... Sorry." I reached up and passed her the loaf.

I reached up and grabbed the chicken soup, then threw it in the shopping trolley.

"Can we get this?" Nisha ran up to me from around the corner and held up a chocolate bar.

I sighed and chucked it in the trolley as she clapped excitedly.

"Don't you have a thing on this afternoon?"

"Hmm?" I said, not really paying attention, but just grabbing things and putting them in the trolley.

"The thing you've been going to for the past few months? The reason why you've been getting back home just before mum and dad get home."

I looked to my left and grabbed a loaf of bread. "Practice?"

"Yeah."

"I'm leaving a bit early today. I have to buy something on the way," I mumbled.

We continued shopping for about an hour until we realised we actually didn't have that much money. So instead we just bought the chocolate and hoped that mum and dad would just give up and buy some food on the way home tomorrow.

As we walked through the gigantic shopping center I saw Danny sitting at a bench, his arm thrown over the back and one leg thrown over the other.

"Hey, Nisha, here's five dollars." I handed her the note. "Go to the arcade."

"Okay!" She skipped off, her shoes making a clicking sound.

I walked over to Danny and sat next to him. "What's up?"

"Nothing."

I rested my chin on my fists. "Then why are you by yourself?"

"I'm waiting for Tom to finish his shopping."

"You're with that ass?! Danny-"

"It's fine. He just drove me here. We're not dating."

"But you kiss him."

"Caroline, there's a thing called friendship."

"And that includes making out with your ex?"

"Now you've got it."

I rolled my eyes, then looked at his hair. It was black now, with bright red ends, still short though. "Why do you do that?"

"What?"

"Boy-hop."

He seemed to crack a smirk. "Never heard that term."

"Danny," I growled.

"Do I need a reason? I could just be a selfish ass of an idiot who is so bored he likes to just kiss guys then leave them?"

I looked at him, him still looking somewhere else though. "But you're not selfish."

"But I'm an idiot."

"Only in joking terms."

He sighed. I was not one for giving advice. "Remind me to come to you for a pep talk next time."

"Oh, come on. There has to be reason for you doing it."

He just shook his head, leaning forward now with his elbows on his knees and hands clasped together. "Well, there isn't."

"Are you sure?"

He sighed again. "What are you insisting?"

I sat straight now. I wasn't going to say it, because then he'd be upset or something. I've actually never really seen him get upset, just closed off, and we didn't want that again. "That you're not a boy-hopper?"

"Okay, fine, I'm not a boy-hopper. Now, shouldn't you go stop Nisha from wondering off?"

I looked up. "She's not going- NO!" I sprung up and ran to her, where she was actually going off. "Where were you going?"

"To find you?"

"Nice try. I-" I looked over at Danny, who gave Tom a quick hug before the two walked off together. He was always one to escape a situation.

"What is it?"

I sighed, shaking my head. "Nothing, let's go home."

"But what about Danny?"

I sighed and continued walking alongside her. "He's older. He can take care of himself."

"He's only a year older than you, though."

I shrugged. "Hey, do you have any money left?"

"Look! Food!" She ran off in the direction of the fast food places.

"Nisha! Come back!" I chased after her and, after one minute, I already lost her. "Where- what- NISHA!"

I spent ages pushing past the crowds and mistaking several children for my sister before I found her. She was holding a thing of chips and was just sitting underneath one of the fake trees with the hexagon structures surrounding it. "Hi!"

"You were missing for fifteen minutes!"

She looked at her wrist. "No."

"There's no Watch there."

She looked up innocently, eating another chip. "Sorry."

"Yeah, well, I'm going to be late now."

She blinked twice. "So when you said it started early, you meant early."

"Yes," I said exhausted. "Wait, where'd you get those chips?"

"They were just sitting over there at the- HEY!" I snatched them from her and threw them in the bin.

"You found them?"

"Yes."

"Just sitting there?"

"Yes."

I buried my face in my hands. "Let's just go."

"But what about your thing?"

I sighed as we began walking again. "I'll take you home, then go to the thing.”

Chapter Two: Acceptance

 

The afternoon air was cold on my arms as I locked the chained gate then put the key back under the blanket, walking back in the direction of the corner shops and out of the alley.

Once I left the dim alley, I was met with many people just walking around, a few people wearing jeans and band shirts with brightly coloured hair singing lyrics to some metal song, and multi coloured banners hanging from the shops. The road was giving off dust as people drove fast through the hidden town, blurring out the acreages that were on the other side, holding houses, some bigger and fancier than others.

A bell went off as I entered the bakery, the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the room. I could hear the transparent fridge humming in the corner as I approached the counter.

"Good afternoon," said a girl, probably in her twenties, with her blonde hair pulled back and a black apron thrown over the top of her shirt and blue jeans

"Afternoon. Can I just get one of those?" I pointed to one of those large finger buns with pink icing, coconut, and sultanas hiding amongst the bun.

"Sure thing." She bent down and grabbed it with gloved hands, then put it in a large paper bag, then in a plastic bag.

I gave her the money, mumbling a "Thanks" before walking out and shoving the change back in my jeans, and starting my journey down the road to my destination.

I kicked my feet against the road, letting clouds of dust fly into the air in front of me, as I swung the bag next to me, getting bored, before I stopped, as it kept hitting my leg.

Finally, I was met with the familiar gate into the acreage. I jumped over the metal and walked down the dirt driveway until the house and garage was in front of me. The house was one story with a beautiful garden surrounding the front at its edge, with three steps leading to the patio, then there stood a door.

I walked to the garage and knocked three times, before the door hummed and rose, and I was met by a girl with long bright green hair and wearing black ripped jeans with a purple top.

"Hey, Caroline," she greeted, smiling.

"Hi, Rose. I brought the thing." I lifted up the plastic bag and she stepped aside so I could enter the threshold.

It was just like any other garage, with its cement flooring and plain walls, except it had no cars, just a drum kit, a few large amps, one guitar and bass lying against a torn up couch, a carpet lying on the floor, and some hanging lights.

Looking to my left, I saw my other friend, Andy, sitting on the couch, his hair jet black and eyes bright red. He was wearing a skull shirt and blue jeans.

"You're contacts are different."

Andy nodded, lying his head back. "I needed new ones."

Rose spoke up. "Eyesight getting worse?"

"No."

"Maybe you should stop playing video games?" she said, snidely.

"Maybe you should shut your trap," he sighed, closing his eyes.

I walked over and poked his face. "Don't sleep!"

"Don't touch me."

"Well then open your eyes. I brought food." Rose now had the bag and began hitting him with it, but he just ignored it.

"Stop."

"Nope."

"You know how you say your little brother annoys you sometimes?"

"Yes?"

He sighed and grabbed the bag, opening it. "I think its the other way around," he mumbled as he pulled out the paper bag.

"I'm sure Caroline annoys her older brother." I was sitting down against the wall by that point, across from Andy. "Seeming, she is the younger sister," added Rose, snatching the bag from him.

"By a year."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

He sighed and looked at me, his arm thrown over the back. "He's in year eleven now, right?" I nodded in response. "There," he stated, looking back at Rose, "a year."

She glared as she pulled a piece of the bun and ate it.

"What took you so long, by the way?" insisted Rose, throwing the bun at Andy's face.

"I had to go shopping, tried to uncover things from my brother, then lost my sister and had to look for her," I sighed, slumping forward.

"Is your brother still dating Liam?"

I looked up. "Who?"

Andy hit Rose on the arm, softly. She glared. "Wrong person. Liam was dating this other guy."

Rose looked off. "But I could of sworn he dated a Liam."

I shook my head. "Hang on. Yes, he dated a Liam, but which Liam are you guys referring to?"

Andy ate some of the finger bun and pointed to his hair. "Pink hair. Works at that instrument shop. Older brother in the football team."

"Oh, no he hasn't dated him. Probably will."

Rose tilted her head to the side. "Why does he date a lot of people?"

"Do you mean why do people date him? Or why he keeps finding new people?" I asked.

"I know why they keep dating him. But why the new people? I didn't even know we had that many guys!"

I chuckled and Andy spoke up. "I'd guess he meets people through his friends."

I nodded as he chucked me the paper bag and I tore off a piece.

"But why does he do it? He doesn't seem like the kind of guy that would just leave someone or date someone if he wasn't interested."

I shrugged. "I don't know why." I threw my head back, hitting the wall. "Dammit!" I held the back of my head. "I thought we were here to practice?"

Andy sighed and stood up. "I have to agree." He walked over and plugged in a red and black bass, a screeching noise filling the air for three seconds, standing in front of a microphone.

Rose sighed and sat at her drums, picking up the sticks, after adjusting her microphone, as I picked up the black and purple electric guitar, plugging it in, and stood in front of the mic.

Andy and I slung our instrument's straps over our shoulders, though his bass was left handed, before Andy turned up the amps.

Rose lifted up her sticks and hit them together. "One, two, three, four!"

After the intro of the guitar having slides and push ons, and the drums playing fast with the bass, the guitar was being played with muted notes and the drum was simple.

I stepped up to the microphone.

"I can't find the truth,

Or who I am to become.

Don't know what to do,

And I'm stuck with the growing fire.

I've lost almost everything

In this-"

Andy stepped up with me.

"Growing war!"

The drums stopped and I did a quick slide before it all came back in.

"With the blaze gone,

And the soul forever lost,

What are we to become?

And the sun goes down,

But the moon shall not rise up,

For in darkness there is no light.

In darkness, we will all spite,

For this world is forever lost!"

I muted the notes again as Andy sung.

"Tell me I can't win

And I'll fall in this dirt.

So give me a weapon,

And give me a choice,

To fight for it all

Or to run!

From this war-"

There was another loud screeching noise as something was unplugged. I covered my ears as we all looked at the source, as Andy took off the strap and placed the bass in the stand next to the amp.

"Kyle!" yelled Rose at her younger brother. He had messy brown hair with green shirt and shorts. He looked around ten.

Andy rolled his eyes and huffed as Rose got up and waved the sticks at her brother as she stormed up to him. "Why did you do that?!"

"Put the sticks down before you cut someone's head off," sighed Andy, grabbing them off her and putting them on her drum kit.

She returned her gaze to Kyle. "Why did you do that?!"

He waved his hands around. "Shush. There are teenagers in front of the house."

"Hate to burst your bubble kid, but we're teenagers," said Rose, pointing at all of us.

Andy put her arm down. "Put your arm down before you poke someone's eye out."

She glared at him as he threw himself onto the couch.

"What do you mean, Kyle?" I asked.

He walked over to the amps and turned them off. "They aren't nice Teenagers."

"Huh?"

Andy looked up, still with the same expression. "Are they those jerks that spray painted your house last week?"

Kyle nodded, while I looked dumbfounded.

"Someone spray painted the house?"

Rose just looked down. "More or less."

"What she means," Kyle added, "is that they sprayed arrows in the driveway spelling out the word 'homo'."

Andy shook his head. "Bunch of idiots who just get bored and like to make fun of people, mainly. Which means I will personally throw them in a lake."

Rose's mood had changed at the topic. "It's fine guys. What are they doing Kyle?"

He looked back up from Andy's bass, which he was admiring. "Throwing eggs."

"Well aren't they original," sighed Andy, getting up. As he did, I took off my guitar and put it on the stand, then followed Andy and Rose out the front door, not wanting to let them see the instruments in case they tried to steal them.

"Stay here," said Rose to Kyle, who just nodded and closed the door behind us.

The group was only three people that consisted of three guys. One had dark hair and the other two had blonde.

"What are you doing?" sighed Andy.

One of the boys made a noise from the back of his throat, pointing at Rose. "Look, the girly boy is out of their habitat."

"Can you not be an ass?" I asked.

"Or are you incapable of not being annoying?" Rose mocked.

The one with brown hair spoke up. He was taller than the others and wore shorts and a grey shirt. "I'm confused, were you born a guy and just had a fascination with skirts? Or-"

"Were you born an idiot?" I Inquired.

"Oh shut it, freak."

"Who knew a guy who thinks himself above everyone could be a bitch," said Andy, folding his arms.

"Oh great, you bite to," exclaimed the shortest one. "Who knew they could."

His eye twitched. "Excuse me? They?" He took a step forward. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, because you're hanging with the freaks, you obviously have something wrong too."

"Something wrong? What the hell is your problem?!" I yelled.

"We don't have a problem. He's the one who hides in skirts. He's an emo freak. And you're the one who has nothing better to do than hang with losers."

It was my time to twitch. "Firstly, don't label my friends. Secondly, they aren't losers. And, third, don't use 'he' when they're a 'she', you incompetent ass!"

"Bitch!"

"That's it. Someone's about to die." Andy grabbed my arm before I could do anything.

"They're literally holding you back."

Rose picked up a stone, throwing it up and catching it. "I swear, you throw another egg, or say another word, I'll throw this so it goes through your head."

The tall one just made a noise from the back of his throat. "You- OW!" He grabbed his shin as Rose picked up another stone.

"I don't know why you thought she was lying, buddy," exclaimed Andy. "The girls got green hair. I'm sure she wouldn't mind some red streaks."

One of the boys tilted his head, not getting what he said, but the other two just stumbled back as Rose readied a few more stones.

She threw another, purposely hitting near his feet, and he fell over, tripping over his own feet. He reached for an egg but she threw one near his hand.

"Let's get out of here," said the tall one, turning around and stalking off, the other boys following him.

Andy sighed as Rose exited the patio and checked the garage door. "They got egg everywhere," she mumbled, putting her head down.

I sat down on the steps, looking up at Andy. "How many times have you heard them say 'emo'?"

"Them? Or people?" I blinked as he approached Rose. "They're just idiots."

She nodded.

"Rose, don't feel bad-"

"It's fine," she mumbled, walking towards the door.

"You hit the guy in the leg," said Andy mutually. "That was kind of cool."

"Yeah?"

I smiled. "Shame you didn't hit them in the eye."

"That is very violent, Caroline." She paused, a smile creeping on to her face.

It didn't take long before thirty minutes had passed and I decided to leave them, not wanting another close call like last time. I said my fare well and promised to see them at school tomorrow and, when I exited the building, the sky looked like a painting, the sky covered in orange and pink.

As I descended through the dark alley, and through the gate, I saw a teenager just sitting against the wall, his head hanging low and black hair hiding under a beanie. For a moment I thought they were that boy from the party, but then just kept walking, not wanting an awkward conversation if they didn't end up being them.

'If I see those idiots again I will end them,' I thought as I neared my house. What was their problem?!

I closed the door, starting to lose all faith in humanity, before my sister tackled me into a hug.

"You came back early!"

I blinked, getting off the floor and straightening my shirt. "How early?"

"Twenty minutes."

A sigh escaped me and I said my thanks to Nisha before trudging up the stairs and past my brother's bedroom. I thought about talking to him, but I didn't want to walk in on him kissing anyone or talking on the phone or whatever, so I just opened my door and shut it behind me.

I picked up the clothes lying on the floor, then spotted a bunch of papers on my empty desk. I trudged over and went through them but found nothing that was interesting. They were just papers Mum must have found somewhere, holding notes when I would of been practicing tests.

After chucking a few behind me, I found one that caught my eye. It held all these drawing of this person in what looked like dance positions, with arrows and notes underneath. It didn't look like my handwriting. It was too neat. But then I realised, they must of been Danny's. When he was younger he would do hip-hop. But Dad and Mum made him promise to give it up and study harder so he did as he was told and didn't have anything to do with it, at least, that's what I had thought before.

I got rid of the other papers and walked out of my room, straight to Danny's. I held my fist to the door but then I hesitated. I didn't know why I was. I think it was because I didn't want to bring up the past, because all that seemed to do was hurt him.

I decided to withdraw and walk back to my room. I put the papers in my draw and chucked everything else out, shoving it in the plastic bin beside my desk, then just sat on the chair, staring at the window.

"Wow, I'm bored," I sighed, my hands folded on my lap. I now wished I hadn't left my friends so early. After all, all we had done when the idiots left was talk about random stuff and finished practicing the song.

People had been bothering Rose since the day she had come out as female. She was never one to wear skirts, but, just to prove her point, she started wearing them. A lot of people discouraged her about it, but a lot more people thought she was brave. She just found it dumb that people had to accept it, like she was sick or something.

The first time I met her, I was in year seven, and had just completely blocked out my so called 'friends' from primary school. We were put in the same science class together, and we had to find partners. This was term three and the week she had announced it. I'm not saying she stood on a crate and shouted at people with a megaphone. I mean she just didn't give a damn anymore and didn't feel like lying to herself and her family anymore.

The teacher had announced that everyone would need new lab partners to, in her words, "mix it up a bit". I remember sitting at those counter-like desks and looking around the room, silently cursing the fact that I, again, was going to be paired with someone I hadn't even known.

But my thoughts were cut off with Rose tapping me on the shoulder, causing me to look at her. The first thing I saw was her purple hair she had back then. Then her awkward, nervous smile. "I'm Rose," she introduced, her voice trembling slightly.

I smiled back. "I know. Everyone's been talking about you."

I don't know why, but I expected her to say the whole "I know, I'm not surprised people talk about me", or the " it's so annoying" complaint that is so unconvincing, it's not funny.

But she just flicked her hair back in a stuck-up manor and rolled her eyes. "I'm just so popular," she said, in a purposely, really bad, fake American accent. She sounded like one of those snobs from the teenage movies that just care about appearance and making a clown out of everyone.

I couldn't help but grin. "Obviously." I stuck my hand out. "I'm Caroline."

She smiled and took my hand, then released it. "Finally, a normal person."

I snorted by accident. "Normal's a bit farfetched."

"Well excuse me, miss princess."

I rolled my eyes, letting out a small laugh. "What I meant to say was: I'm usually not seen as normal."

"Join the club." She smiled and I couldn't help but smile back. "And what I meant to say was: you're the first person who hasn't glared at me, spat at me, called me 'unnatural', smiled awkwardly or just shuffled away not knowing what to say." She grinned as my eyes widened.

I coughed. "I could just bow if you want? Although I can't courtesy because I'm not wearing a skirt."

She chuckled before looking down at her own attire. "I wouldn't wear a skirt usually, but I felt like it for some reason. I think it's, like, a way for me to express who I am."

I smiled. "That's cool."

"Yeah." She shrugged. "I've seen you around, you know?"

I blinked twice. You'd think I would see a girl with coloured hair, but I never did.

She chuckled at my response. "You know how you usually just sit by yourself, yeah?"

"Well, now that you've pointed it out, I do," I said, mockingly.

She just laughed again. "Do you want to sit with me and my friend at lunch?"

I blinked twice again. "Really?"

She nodded and smiled, so I felt inclined to agree.

"Only if you do something for me."

"Oh, so you sitting with us is doing us a favour? I see." She sat down next to me, resting her head on her hand as she looked at me. "What is it?"

"Be my lab partner?"

She chuckled. "Sure."

We spent the rest of the lesson listening to the teacher talk about what we were going to learn, then, lunch was here.

I walked out of the classroom and lost her in the flood of students, so I just decided to sneak off to my locker first, but, just before I got there, a girl grabbed my arm and yanked me to the cafeteria.

When I finally escaped I realised it was just Rose, laughing like she had just seen someone fall into a thing of mud.

"Come on," she insisted after she caught her breath. "We sit over there."

I walked after her and sat across from her, but, before I did, I saw a boy with black hair and bright green eyes. As I sat, I couldn't control myself. "Your eyes. They're so cool."

He kept his arms folded and back against the wall. You see, our table was in the corner near the wall, so he could rest his head there. He opened his eyes from sighing, then looked over at Rose. "Who's that?"

"That's Caroline," she announced as she ate a part of her sandwich.

"Aha, okay. And why is she here?"

"We became friends in science."

"Didn't you have science twenty minutes ago?"

"Thirty," she corrected.

"Fine, thirty, you've still known her for thirty minutes and you've labelled her as a friend."

"Labelled?"

"Yes."

"You can't label someone?"

He sighed. "Everyone else seems to disagree," he mumbled, now moving around his pasta with a fork. "But, that's not my point. How do you know-"

"Hey, uh, dude, I'm right here."

He turned his gaze to me, his voice still coming out in monotone and his face still blank. "Yes you are."

Rose nudged him with her elbow, causing him to wince for a second, before sighing. "I'm Andy, nice to meet you, I guess." Then he turned his attention back to playing with his food.

"Nice to meet you too," I mumbled. His hair seemed to cover his eyes as he looked down.

"Don't mind him," Rose stated, before putting a hand shielding the left side of her mouth. "He's a bit of an ass sometimes."

"You know you're supposed to cup your hand so the person doesn't see your mouth? Not on the opposite side because, well, I'm on your right, not left."

"See?" she whispered. "Ass."

"Still the wrong side," he examined, causing Rose and I to laugh and her to put her hand down.

Over the year we became good friends, but Andy still knew more than me. She had been friends with Andy since primary school, though, so it was fair. They lived across from each other as kids, then he left the area in year five. But when he reappeared in year seven at her school, she had a friend and didn't have to deal with all the awkward conversations between new kids and people who had known other people for years, and also the people who felt the need to rub it in their faces that they already knew a whole parade of students.

So, it was no wonder Andy didn't trust me until year eight. It wasn't any particular situation, I think. I remember telling people to "go away" when they spat words, indicating to one of us, or, I may have ranted at someone. But, through the hatred I was getting and the situations I kept finding myself in, somewhere in there I earned his trust. Which proved a hard thing to accomplish.

We had decided to form the band after we had an assignment to perform in front of the class, so we had decided to form a group.

"For the last time, Rose, the name isn't important," groaned Andy, lying on the table with one leg over the other. I sat on the table next to his head, swinging my legs, feeling fidgety because I didn't like staying in the same spot for too long.

Rose sighed. "Yes it is."

"We could come up with it later?" I insisted. But, Rose could be stubborn, so I wasn't expecting anything.

"But what if-"

"No ones going to tease us for not having a name," said Andy, almost reading her mind.

"What about-"

"They won't make up a name that we wished we could of made up."

"And-"

"I think you lost the argument," I interrupted this time and she sighed.

"Fine. What about a song we could do?"

I looked up. "Remind me again what the rules are?"

Andy sighed, staring up at the high ceiling. I was surprised no one had told us to get off the furniture yet. But no one seemed bothered. "We can't do an original, so it must be a cover, and you can't all play the same instrument."

"What if someone was going to do a choir," insisted Rose.

"You have to have at least one instrument," answered Andy, with the same monotone voice.

"But your voice is an instrument. Well, kind of."

"Tell that to the teacher. He wouldn't accept it."

"Okay," I interrupted, still swinging my legs. "We could do a cover of a Linkin Park song? They're cool."

Andy sighed, shaking his head. "I guess."

Rose spoke up. "What about 'In The End' by Black Veil Brides?"

"It'd be too complicated for us," explained Andy, his eyes never tearing away from the ceiling. "At least for the short period of time we have."

Rose nodded in agreement, sitting on a chair she pulled out, now with her feet up on the table.

"Can we do 'Sharpest Lives'?" I asked.

"Yes!" yelled Rose, then receiving a few looks. She lowered her voice in embarrassment. "That's an awesome idea. What do you think, Andy?" She no longer had her feet up, but was leaning forward in her chair.

"Yeah. That'd be pretty cool." I swear he reminded me of Raven from Teen Titans.

"Great! So, what does everyone play?"

"I play guitar and sing, I guess."

"Bass and sing a bit," said Andy.

"Cool."

"Wait, what do you play, Rose?"

She smiled. "Drums. Been playing since I was young."

So, it was then and there that we first decided to play together. It was pretty cool, and a few people actually knew the song, and we got a high mark. It was after that that we just automatically formed a group for music, but still had no official name. And then it led us to just forming a band. I know it seemed like a total teenage cliché, but we couldn't care.

Knock, knock, knock.

I spun around in the chair. "Yeah?"

"Mum and Dad are here early," explained my sister. "Mum's making dinner now- why are you smiling?" she asked, curiously.

It wasn't till she pointed it out that I realised I was. I quickly got rid of it and shook my head. "Just thinking about things. Thanks, Nisha."

She smiled and closed the door behind her, leaving me in my room by myself.

I spun around and stared out the window again, the sky looking even darker and more pink then before.

Chapter Three: Wish Me Luck With The Stars

 

I tapped the pencil on the desk, lying my head on my arm as the teacher droned on about algebra and stuff. Rose didn't show up to roll call, and neither did Andy, so I knew I was going to be alone today. I didn't regret relying on two people for friendship in high school (even when Rose refused to answer my text when I got to school). My brother went to some secondary college, and, before that, he went to a school for the 'Academically Achieved', and I slightly envied him, and he envied me. I think he just had enough of getting picked on for being a 'dork' whenever he saw his old classmates at my school, which was fair enough. He transferred in year seven so I never got to spend time with him in school.

The bell cut through my thoughts. I jumped up, everyone's chairs scraping against the floor in an echo, and walked out. I clutched my books against my chest until I reached my locker. It took me five tries to get the books to stay in without falling out. That was always embarrassing-

I spun around as someone tapped me on my shoulder. My shield automatically went up and I was ready to attack someone with my pencil, seeming Andy wasn't here to just make them sick from sarcasm poisoning.

Their eyes widened and their eyebrows hid underneath his dark bangs. I was such an idiot.

His eyes darted from me to the pencil. Getting the message, I lowered my weapon.

I thought you were going to attack me.

I scratched my head awkwardly. Sorry about that. Taylor?

An amused smile lightened his features. Yes. I got moved here . . . His movements stopped and he seemed to consider finishing, but I interrupted.

Story for another time?

Thanks.

Nodding, I turned my attention back to my locker and, well, locked it. When I turned back around he was staring off.

I'll go.

I shook my head and gestured for him to follow me. Okay, so I didn’t know EVERYTHING about sign language. Only the basics. The only reason I know ‘attack’ and words like that is because I was curious.

So, to sum it up, after that we went to the grass area (he looked uncomfortable amongst the people) and ate food while exchanging small talk.

Okay I have another confession. It was more like me asking him questions and him answering ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

After that we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. As I was walking through the sea of chatting teenagers, I started to think back to that boy. Crying. Shaking. Running away. Living in silence and in darkness at the same time. Asking for help. Being lonely.

The pain of dying.

I shook my head and rubbed my eyes to make sure no tears were there. I needed to fix it. Everything. I needed to make it right.

Me and Taylor, we needed another way to communicate, that much was obvious.

So I came up with an idea.

I squinted as the sun hit my eyes and I stepped out of the newsagency. Yes, that was my idea. I bought a note pad. I saw it in an anime once. Anyway, I never noticed how deserted this part of town was during the week.

I went upstairs and put the book next to my bed before pulling my phone out.

 

To: Kitty

From: Button Eyes

Hey man, where were you and Rose today?

 

It only took a few minutes before I got a reply.

 

To: Button Eyes

From: Kitty

In a field of frickin fairies. I said hi to the unicorn for you.

 

To: Kitty

From: Button Eyes

Your an ass, you know that?

 

To: Button Eyes

From: Kitty

More so than your brother?

 

To: Kitty

From: Button Eyes

Shut up. Seriously, what happened? Is Rose okay?

 

To: Button Eyes

From: Kitty

Why suspect different?

 

To: Kitty

From: Button Eyes

Well, she didn’t answer her text?

 

To: Kitty

From: Button Eyes

Wait … does she not want me to know?

 

To: Button Eyes

From: Kitty

I can’t say. It’s nothing really … just

 

This was when I started freaking out. The last time I got a message like that from Andy, it was because Rose had gone on holiday with her mum and became injured while bungee jumping. I have a massive fear of heights, so that was why she didn’t tell me. She looked too far in to it.

 

To: Kitty

From: Button Eyes

Just what? Dude plz. YOu have To teLL me.

 

To: Kitty

From: Button Eyes

HAving ProLems Iwth my Keypda.

 

 

I was walking and texting. I grabbed my red coat and put it over my black jeans and plain grey shirt.

 

To: Button Eyes

From: Kitty

Okay, well she went missing this morning. I got a call from her mum saying that. So I went looking and couldn’t find her anywhere. But, eventually, I found her and she was sitting in a tree near your house. I asked “what are you doing?” and she replied with “waiting for caroline”. She looked disorientated. Than she said “it was the blue ones. I think I need to be somewhere”  "Where?" She had looked up and pointed, nearly losing balance. "The stars. I need to be with the stars. I can fly up there and not..." She didn't finish her sentence. I was confused. Her jacket was on the floor and it was cold so I was going to bargain with her and get her down. But I picked it up, and a bottle fell out with medication… and …

 

To: Kitty

From: Button Eyes

She takes medication for anxiety. I dont understand what happened?

 

To: Button Eyes

From: Kitty

Her dad traded her anxiety medication for some experimental medication he had bought somewhere. But they don’t treat anxiety Caroline. It’s disgusting.

 

To: Kitty

From: Button Eyes

Shit… wait, dont tell me its for what I think

 

After I read the next message he sent, I was out the door dialing the number he sent a minute later.

“Hello? Yeah, what hospital?”

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Publication Date: 11-29-2014

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