CHAPTER 1

Masks. Everyone wears one. None are ever the same. Sharing but only one quality. To hide our true faces. Our hearts. Our souls. No one can see these masks, not even their own.
My heart was pounding. Pajamas wet from sweat. I had another dream. Another nightmare. I feel so scared, so very afraid. But I can't remember why I'm feeling this way. Every night, I wake up drenched and afraid. Sometimes I can remember the dreams but its rare when I can't. My therapists suggested I keep a Dream Book, along with a
journal, to write the dreams down so I won't forget. I've always had these dreams since I was a child apparently.
That is, according to my best friend Xyro. He and I have always been together we're like family (I guess you could say). Xyro and a few others are the only ones who know about my dreams. Thing is, they're the only people who seem to be "themselves" in my dreams. Oh well, forget it for now. The clock on my dresser read 5:45AM. Great. Two more hours till school. Joy.
7:45. Crap! I can't believe I fell back asleep! Now I'm gonna be late. I practically sprinted down the stairs, scarfed down breakfast, and out the door I was.
"Bye Mama!"
"See ya. Love ya dear!"
10 minutes. "Shit! I'm not gonna make it!"
I ran faster and faster almost ramming into several joggers a few times then apologizing out loud when they could no longer hear me. Detention. Detention. No. No. No! Of course, I'm not exactly watching where I'm running; trying to dodge trash cans and jumping over pets to avoid collision. I turn the corner (one block away from school) and ram into someone on a bike.
"Ow..."
"Shit..."
"Sorry---", I said but recognized the voice, "Knight?"
He looked up.
"Where are you going?" I asked
No answer. The school bell rings, echoing down the street.
"Ha. Serves you right" he said snickering. Before insulting me any longer, I punch him in the gut.
"Jerk. What, you ditching again?"
"So?"
"In your uniform, nonetheless? Not very smart. Wait. Don't tell me you only went to break up with your two-day girlfriend?"
"Pretty much."
This guy…he makes me sick. He's the number one playboy at our high school-Lustrous Academy. I know. Lame school name. He's never gotten dumped. He is also the biggest pervert you will ever meet. And the worst part of all…I am friends with this jackass. Highlight of my life (sarcasm). He always ditches school after a break up or rejecting a girl. Which is basically all the time. I grabbed his bicycle, wheeling it over to him.
"You're giving me a ride to school."
"What?! Why?"
"You owe me. And you're gonna attend class today too. If you don't, I will beat you."
He snatches his bike from me and hops on.
"Fine. Get on the handle bars."

I tried to sneak into the classroom without getting noticed. I creaked open the door. Course, knight just slams it open with both of us in the doorway. Caught.
"Thanks for the entrance, Knight…" I whispered, while the class stared.
"Just in time, Ms. Crowley. Oh? And, Mr. Bronwen. Finally joining class today?"
Ignoring her, Knight strided to his seat. Apparently, it annoyed her. Very much so. I could have sworn there was fire surrounding her…
"As to Mr. Bronwen's absences, to make up for wasted teaching, we're taking our pop quiz today instead of Friday." she said while clearing her throat.
The entire class moaned with grief. Not like the girls cared anyway. As long as they could watch Knight the entire period, they wouldn't care if a psycho killer came running in the classroom.
"Ms. Crowley, be so kind as to pass them out"
I got up, passing by Knight's desk. He slipped a note in my pocket ever so skillfully. Not one girl noticed though! Amazing ninja skills there.
Quizzes passed out. Done. I pull out the note:

"COURTYARD-LUNCH"

I looked up to his seat. He winked. Ugh…how does anyone fall for that? The test was fairly easy. I glanced around the classroom to see what all the other people's faces were like. A guy (looked somewhat of a jock) scribbled in whatever, while a girl next to me put on makeup. Knight was asleep (of course). Another girl stared at him, watching him sleep. Probably daydreaming about some perverted fantasy with Knight again. (You can tell when their eyes get all sparkly while they stare at him-yuck). Thing is, nobody actually knows that Knight is insanely smart. Lucky him, he's never had to study before! He asks some of the girls to tutor him, when all they do is make out or go on dates.
"Pass in your quizzes."

Knight caught up to me in the hallway. He had annoyed look on his face. "What?" I asked, thought I already knew.
"You made me come to school today" he sounded even angrier. Pulling him aside, I whispered, "Just because you're smart doesn't mean you can skip class or sleep."
Some girls spotted us and I quickly left before he could say anything.
"Alliiiiiccccccceeeeeeeeeee!!!"
I turned around only to get-partially-tackled by another guy, Ian Harvey. Unlike knight, he isn't a playboy. All of the girls think he is the "cutest thing they have ever seen". (He is cute). But…he won't leave me alone! He always tells girls (and even guys) that he loves me. Which is sweet, and I do love him but just not in that way. One thing that's useful: give him anything sweet and he'll do whatever you want. One girl (most actually) had given him the most expensive, imported chocolate from halfway across the world to have him go out with her. Rejected and shot down cold. It's the one thing that Ian won't do, though he ends up with the sweets in the end anyway.
"Ian please get off!"
"Aww…Alice!"
"No." I pop a Hershey's chocolate in his mouth and he obeys.
"Mumny!" (Yummy).
"Don't talk with your mouth full Ian."
A cold chill runs up my spine. I look past the icy stares of the girls. A dark shadow hovered above one of the girls.
"Ian."
"Yessss?"
"You'll see Knight next period right?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Tell him I can't meet him at lunch"
"You were gonna what?!"
I flick him on the forehead. "Just tell him or I won't give you candy anymore." He made a face then nodded. Before he went to class he mouthed 'Be Careful'