Chapter One - The Letter

"I view the world in the colors of black and white

In the depths of darkness is where I find the light

My perception of everything is completely twisted

The life within is dead and inside death existed"

Being popular is something that everyone wishes for. It is considered a want, need, desire, or must have but Tyler Alexandre didn't need it because he was born into it. His family owned Bell's Security, a multimillion dollar company that had the most advance security system known to man. No one knew what made the system tick but it was state of the art and not everyone could afford it, celebrities included.

Tyler yawned as he stared out the window. It was fifth period and although he had it all, he wished he was anyplace but there. English was not his favorite subject. If it was possible to buy his education, he would have done it a long time ago. His parents on the other hand felt differently. Anything you wanted in life, you have to work for is the motto his parents drilled into him since he was able to walk. He didn't mind the strict rules but he didn't understand the point of having money and not being able to flaunt it.

"Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque by Edgar Allan Poe was better suited for readers of the future. It is for the below the average of newspaper trash...wild, unnerving, pointless, aimless...without anything of elevated fancy humor." Stated Professor Stolz.

"I disagree Professor. I actually think that it was a playful effusion of a remarkable and powerful intellect," Justin replied.

"Justin, I'm surprised. Normally your head is so far up Stolz's ass that all you ever do is agree all the crap he says," Tyler let out in between yawns.

The class snickered as Professor Stolz tried to regain his composure and control of his class. He stuttered as he pointed to Tyler, unable to find the words to express the extreme anger that was clearly written across his face. Justin look around the classroom, clearly embarrassed by Tyler's statement. He snorted and buried his head in his book as other member of the class threw papers at his back. Not even trying to hide his yawn, Tyler stood up and grabbed his back, walking to the front of the class.

"No worries Randolph. I'll show myself to the Principles Office." He said as he exited the classroom, barely able to contain his laughter. At this point Professor Stolz was beyond words and anger, he was downright mortified that his student addressed him in such a manner.

"I don't get paid enough for this shit," He muttered as he looked at his class who was totally out of control now. "Tonight's assignment is a five hundred word essay on Tales of The Grotesque and Arabesque. Due tonight by Midnight, single spaced."

"That's not fair," Screeched Kathy.

"Does it have to five hundred pages?" Questioned Justin. "Because I think that's too easy."

Before Justin could turn around to ask the rest of the class what they thought of his idea, a textbook flew past his head, followed by cheers and groans when it missed its intended target. It was only then did he see the angry glares that he was receiving from his classmates and knew that he only magnified the target on his back.

"Love does not pulsate with colors, it's only a shade of gray

The tears of heartbreak doesn't really wash the pain away

Optimism is really pessimism in disguise

For it only brings up your hope and watch as it slowly dies"

She didn't recognize the reflection before her. She knew she was looking at herself but it had been so long since she last looked in the mirror. She forgot how she looked. She brushed strands of her red hair behind her ear and pulled on the curls that framed her face. Her cheeks were wet from the constant onset of tears that rolled down her face and her eyes were puffy. She sighed as she turned away from the mirror, leaning against the wall. Her legs grew weak and her body slid down to meet the floor. It was then that she grabbed her notebook from her bag and began to write.

Even though she had it all, her world seemed to be falling apart before her. She achieved the highest scores in her school and was well liked among the student body. Yet, that couldn't fill the dark and empty hole that was inside of her. To the outside world she was the epitome of perfection but on the inside she was far from it.

Fresh tears streamed down her cheeks as she ripped out a page from her notebook and began to write a letter that would put her life in perspective. Her vision became blurry with tears, and as they dropped on the paper, they caused the ink to smudge.

"Get it together, Arianna." She managed to say between sobs, while wiping her tears with the sleeve of her pink blouse. With her back pressed against the cold wall of the girl's bathroom she continued to write her sweet letter to its unknown recipient.

The bathroom's door opened and Arianna jumped, her heart pounding.

"Miss Fray?" The Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Smith, looked down at Arianna with concerning swirling around her face.

Arianna quickly got up and closed the book. She tried her best to hide that she was crying but failed terribly at hiding her tear stained face.

"Is everything ok, Arianna?" Mrs. Smith said as she took a few steps toward Arianna.

"I'm fine." Arianna shrugged, dismissing the fact that she looked like an absolute train wreck.

Mrs. Smith stared at her with a look of disbelief on her face, "Are you sure?" Her voice was soothing and calm, like a flowing river.

"I said I was fine!" Arianna hardened, clearly embarrassed at herself. "Just let it go. My dog died...Okay!"

Mrs. Smith cleared her throat and straightened, "Oh my...I'm sorry to hear that."

"He meant the world to me," she whispered, playing the role off with ease. She refused to let her unspoken words be revealed to her guidance counselor.

"Time heals all wounds Arianna. Please remember that. You should get back to class."

"Yes Ma'am." Arianna muttered as she brushed past the Guidance Counselor.

"And one more thing." Mrs. Smith said to Arianna before she left the bathroom.

Arianna turned around with a look of annoyance on her face. "Yeah."

"Come see me after school."

Arianna rolled her eyes and exited the bathroom, annoyed that she would be missing practice to see the school's nosy guidance counselor. She walked down the hall in a huff, she was so far in her own world that she didn't notice the young man standing right in front of her until she bumped into him; Her notebook falling to the floor.

"I'm sorry." Arianna apologized.

"No worries," The young man offered a gentle smirk, "Anything to hinder my trip to the principal's office is good."

Arianna smiled and quickly picked up her notebook. "I've got to get to class." Without waiting for a response from the young man, she continued down the hall and disappeared around the corner.

Just a few feet to the right of him, Tyler noticed a sheet of paper lying on the ground. He picked it up and looked down the hall but she had already banked the corner. His curiosity got the best of him. He figured why not read it. It was her fault for being so careless anyway and if it was important then she wouldn't have left it behind. He unfolded the paper began reading what was scribbled on it.

"What the fu-" he whispered as he folded the paper and placed it in his pocket.

He was so engrossed in the paper that he never saw the principal standing there in front of him with a none to pleasant look on his face. He groaned and smirked as he walked towards the open door to his office. He didn't know why - because before today he had never really seen this girl - but something inside wanted to find her. Wanted to understand what would drive a person to write such passionate words on a jagged piece of paper.

"I stand outside the world and I'm looking in

My sanity is creeping away and life is wearing thin

My body moves with liquid fluidity

I can't help the fact that I'm detached from reality."

A/N: So that's it. I'm back and I'm trying a new style. I hope you like it. Please, please, review. If it sucks let me know. If it has to many errors please don't hesitate in blasting me. It would be greatly appreciated. Good reviews welcomed also.

Special Thanks goes out to T.E. - He is amazing...The poetry is all him.

Thanks guys.