chapter one :

I woke up as the alarm was about to go off. It was 6 o'clock. I slept for 3 hours after I got back yesterday. I know, 3 hours isn't that much, but to me it is, it is more than enough. I stretched out as I got out of bed, making my way to the bathroom. After a well needed shower, I've put on my uniform, and headed downstairs to have breakfast. I live alone. Have been doing so for the past 3 years. I grabbed a bowl and poured some cereal and milk in it as I turned on the tv, the news channel. After finishing breakfast, I grabbed my bag and headed out the door. It was 7:15 am now, I tried walking faster as to not miss the 7:30 metro. In the meantime let me introduce myself. My name is Chloe Elizabeth Burke, I'm 18 years old and I'm currently a senior at Crest High School. I've been going there since freshman year and also since I've moved here 3 years ago. I used to live with my uncle in....well we've moved a lot so I can't really name one place. As I reach the metro station and go down the stairs, my usual train arrives, going in and taking my usual spot, I rest my head against the window and wait for the train to reach my destination. It's always been a noisy ride. People talking on the phone, to each other. But after all these years the noise has become somewhat soothing, like background music to my ears, it calms me. I looked at my watch as it hit 7:45 and as the train reached my destination. My school was only a few minutes away from the metro station. I can already see the big gates of hell in the distance. To be honest, I never considered school to be hell. If I did I wouldn't of bugged my uncle for so long to let me live here on my own at 15. I've always wanted to live the normal "teenage high school" life. I grew up reading teen magazines and watching teen movies, so I got hung on the idea of being in high school, falling in love, having best friends. when I first asked my uncle if I could go to school he refused immediately and I had no choice but to bug him until he agreed. So to say, right now I'm living my dream life. Sounds pretty pathetic right ? that my dream life is to be a high school student ? Well not for me. If like me you've lived your entire life secretly, not having friends, not knowing that many people, and not ever experiencing what's it's like to be normal, being a teenage high school student is pretty goddamn great.

I made it to the school gates. My first period was maths. As I rounded up the corner to head to my locker to get my maths textbook, I spotted my friend Anna. We had first period together. Anna and I have been friends since freshman year, we were both new in the city and didn't know anyone so we instantly became friends. Anna's really nice, funny, sarcastic and overall the perfect friend. She's the type of person to say things how they are, she never holds back, some people might think that's a flaw but I think that's what makes Anna a unique person and that's what I like about her, she's not a bullshitter. As I reach my locker she notices me and walks over to me.

" Just how do you manage to look so alive so early in the morning ? Tell me your secrets please !" I chuckled as she complained, she was never a morning person.

"Come on, you'd think you'd get used to it after all these years. It's senior year!"

"The one thing I'm never getting used to is waking up at dawn" she rolled her eyes as we made our way to class.

The hallway wasn't crowded, everyone was either already at class, which was debatable, or at the cafeteria getting breakfast. The class was almost empty; Only a group of girls in the corner were chatting and some guys looking at and discussing what seems like a car magazine. We made our way to our seats.

"Wanna go shopping after school ? And go back to my house to get ready for the party ?" Anna said as I was unloading my bag.

"What party ?" I asked.

"The party at Ben's house tonight" She said as a matter of fact. "I told you about it last week".

"Ohh that party. I'm not going."

"Again ? You've never went to any party since freshman year. I thought you'd change your mind and go since it's senior year. Come on ! Adam will go as well. We'll have fun! Just the three of us"

Adam, our other friend. I met him during freshman year as well and we three have been pretty much inseparable since then.

"I'm in for the shopping but I'm not sure about the party." I said as the other students started entering the classroom and taking their seats.

"But why ? It's senior year and I want us three to have fun before we graduate!"

It's not like I didn't want to go, I did. But I had other plans. Plans that can't be cancelled nor reschedueled.

"I'll think about it so let's just drop the subject for now." I said just as Mr. Thomson, our maths teacher, entered the classroom.

"Take your seats everybody." He said placing some papers on his desk. Anna turns around to face the front of the class.

"Today we have a new transfer student." He said looking at the door.

"Aidan Ford. He just transferred from France." He says as a boy comes into the classroom.