Chapter One

"Zelphemyia! Get your butt down here right now!" My mother shrieked from down the stairs. I flapped my lips. What could I possibly have done now?

Before I had even got to the bottom step she started. "I cannot believe you! Is this how you treat everything you do? Did I do something? I just don't understand how you could let your grades drop so low!"

Good god. My eye twitched involuntarily. "No its not how I treat everything, Mother. I just don't feel the need to try. I know all the answers anyways. So what's the big deal anyways?" Her face puffed up. "Big deal? BIG DEAL!? ARE YOU HONESTLY ASKING ME THAT RIGHT NOW!?" Uh-oh. "The 'big deal' is that your failing school! You're failing every single class, Zelphemyia. Every single one! Why?" I sighed. I hated it when she used my full name. I would much rather be called Zelphy. She stormed off into the other room and slammed the door. Good lord, She could be such a drama queen.

"Hello Zelphy." My room greeted me. "Hello Adorno. How are you today?" Funny that I am asking my room that right? "Im doing quite well. Thank you for asking. And how was the lecture from mother?" I snorted and sat in front of my wall. "Loud. Pointless. Tearful. The usual." Adorno gave what I could only guess to be a computer generated sigh.

See, here in Regular, everything is pretty high-tech. Every person in the house has there own personal computerized room. You can name them. Choose their gender, voice, etc. This computer talks to us, helps us with homework, changes the color of our rooms. Pretty much anything you want it to do.

Adorno and I have been together since I was 5. So thats a good 10 years. We've been through just about everything.

"Oh! Zelphy, Avangalin called. You two had a get together and you didn't invite me!?" I forgot to mention Adorno was a total queen. That was something we couldn't control. Thats what made your room personal. He was most likely the biggest gay you would ever meet. And I loved him to death for it.

I stared at my WT, or Wall Top. Its kind of like a lap top in a sense that its portable, but other than that its a lot better than those old things.

"Oh, is that so? I wasn't aware that her and I were talking again."

"What happened this time?" Adorno asked. I flipped around and stared at his body suit. A body suit was an almost life like body that was made of all synthetic material. I had learned how to make them and made Adorno his own. He had just to much personality for a wall.

He looked confused. Crap, I forgot to tell him. "Okay, so you know how I told her that I think Nix likes me?"Adorno nodded his head.

"He's a cutie!" Adorno squealed.

"Well after I told her she totally went up to him and asked him out!" His jaw fell in mock surprise. "Oh shut up!" He closed his eyes slowly and re-opened them. "I told you she would do that." I rolled my eyes. I hated it when he was right. "But she's suppose to be my best friend, is she not?" Adorno pursed his lips. "Yes I do recall you two saying something of the sort to each other at one point." I sighed.

"Did she really call last night? Or today, whenever she called...?" Adorno stared at me. "I believe she called last night while you were doing what ever it is that you do at night." I gave him an impish grin. "You didn't crash another Excellies biology class, did you?" My grin grew. "Maybe, maybe not." "One of these days Zelphy, one of these days..." I laughed at Adorno. "One of these days your going to crash from worrying about me all the time."

I walked over to the WT and opened up Clique. It's kind of like that old thing...what was it...Oh! Myspace. Yeah, it's kind of like that only its a lot better. Safer. And would you look at that, the backstabber sent me a video message. "Hey Zelph." Oh know we were on a nickname bases? "Well, I was just wondering if we were still on for our big sleepover tonight. So um...like, message me back. 'Kay?" She twirled her auburn hair nervously as she spoke. "By the way, Im really sorry about asking Nix out...I know you liked him, it's just...I really thought he liked me too... but obviously he doesn't. So I'm really sorry." She looked sincere. I fired up my camera.

"Hey Avangalin. Yeah what you did was pretty crappy. I don't exactly know if I want to forgive you. I mean...how could you? Even if he did like you! What kind of best friend does that? I don't know Avangalin. That was really low. But tonight is defiantly off." I hit "send" and waited for her heart-filled reply.

"That was a little harsh Zelphy." Adorno commented. "It was not. It was the truth." I stuck my nose in the air. "Truth and anger often walk hand in hand. Don't you agree?" I stuck my hand out at him. "You're such a prude."

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I never did get a reply back form Ava. I guess she finally got the point that I was beyond pissed at her. Well it serves her right.

"Zelphemyia?" My teacher called my name. "Care to answer the question for us, or is what ever is going on in that head of yours just too important?" I hate my English teacher. His name was Mr. Muggsbee. His first name was Muggsbee of course. You see, here in Regular, there are no last names. Only numbers by which we were born.

He loathed me for reasons I just couldn't understand. "No, I don't much feel like answering the question, but it sure looks like Katie Lyn over there would." Katie Lyn was the top of the class nerd that everyone hated only because she made you feel stupid about everything. Even when you have never said a word to her in your life, she'll shoot you down faster than a bullet.

"I see. Well, I'll be seeing you after class." I rolled my eyes and continued to stare off towards the east where the Advancies were.

Ava and I used to crash Advancie parties all the time because they had the coolest stuff at the parties. But only I would crash Excellie biology classes. To me, it was the most interesting thing I had ever seen. Avangalin could care less about that stuff. I always wondered how we became best friends. We were total opposites, yet closer than cement blocks.

At lunch, guess who just decided to come up and talk to me! If you guessed Ava, well you're wrong. It was Nix. FREAKIN' NIX WAS AT MY TABLE TALKING TO ME! "Uh.. Zelphy, can I talk to you?" Sure, yeah, anything for you Nix.

Now before you go thinking that I'm just some pathetic girl with no life who probably watches this boy take a shower, which I don't, let me tell you about him.

For one, his eyes were the most to-die-for blue color. They looked like and iridescent ocean. They sparkled in the sunlight and seemed to dance across your skin. He had perfect white teeth and his smile made the sun seem dull. He had short blond hair that was always pulled up into the hottest little fo-hawk. He was muscular but not too muscular. Nix was tall and lean. His jaw was narrow yet chiseled. And his lips, oh my god, his lips were perfect. I mean, you people thought that Angelina Jolie woman's lips were amazing, they have nothing on this kid. His lips aren't big like hers, no, but sculpted so beautifully that you would swear he was a statue sometimes. And he was sitting at my table wanting to talk to me. I must be in heaven thats it. Yeah...

"Sure, what's up?" I asked propping my face up with my hands. "Well, I know that your mad at Avangalin because she said that she liked me but then said you liked me. I just want to know if thats true?" I stopped breathing and totally forgot where I was. "Zelphy?" "Huh? Oh... um... kind of yeah..." I said sheepishly. His face cracked into that glowing smile of his. "Cool." We stared into each others eyes "Zelphy I just want to say that I lo-"

"ZELPHEMYIA!" Mr. Muggsbee yelled slamming his fist down on the table. Damn it all! It was just a day dream! SCREW YOU TOO WORLD! "What?" I asked. "Is there any particular reason as to why your doing so poorly in my class right now?" I thought it over. "Yes there is. I hate English. I don't care for it and I'm never going to need it because I'm going to be a brain surgeon. I know all the basic stuff so I just choose not to pay attention." He laughed sharply. "Who do you think you are? An Excellie? You'll never make it as a brain surgeon, let alone a nurse even! And these grades won't get you that far either." I glared at him. "You know what? That's a bunch of bullshit. Regulars can do just as much as Excellies can." I stood up and stormed off.

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"Zelphemyia! I cannot believe you! Swearing in front of a teacher!? What is wrong with you!?Tallonia would have never done that!" She scolded. "You don't know that. We don't know anything about her." My mother looked at me aghast. "How dare you say that! Do you even realize that is your sister you're talking about!?" I clenched my fists. "Yes! I am aware of that! But I never knew who she was! I never even met her!"

My mother slapped me hard across the face and set me to my room. I ran up with small tears sliding down my cheeks. "Oh sweetie! I heard the whole thing! Come here!" I walked over to Adorno's body suit. He hugged me comfortingly. "It's okay hun. It's okay..." My mom rarely hits me. Only when she's really pissed. This is why I hate it when she brings up Talliona.

Tallonia was my sister. She was younger than me, but she was born a Nobody. We'll talk about her later. "What is a Nobody?" you may be asking. We'll get to that later, too. But you could compare it to a still born child in a way. Except... a Nobody is alive... they just look dead.

I pushed lightly away from Adorno. I sniffled. "Thanks." I walked over to my WT. "Clique please." My page popped up. I had two new messages. "I swear, if its Avangalin begging for forgiveness, I won't hesitate to kill someone...." I mumbled to myself.

I nearly peed my pants when I saw who the first message from. You guessed it. Nix. The god of my world!

Hey Zelphy, I just wanted to ask you if you're mad at me for telling Avangalin I don't like her. I know she is your best friend and I just didn't want to make you mad at me too. So if you could write back that would be awesome.

Nix.

I just about had a cow. Why would he be so concerned with me being mad at him!? We barley even talk. So why... gasp NO HACKIN WAY! "Oh sweetie! I think he likes you!" Adorno squealed like the queen he is. I blushed. "Nah... he's just being nice is all." Adorno raised his eyebrows to me. "Well message him back and see what he says!"

Hi Nix. Um... no i'm not mad at you. You didn't really do anything wrong. I don't really care about Ava at the moment. Were kind of in a fight. Thanks for being concerned.

Zelphy.

After I hit send, I hit my head. "Thanks for being concerned!? Thats something you say when you're like dying and someone says get well soon or some crap! I'm such a loser!"

I totally forgot about the other message. Surprise, surprise, it was from Ava. "Zelphemyia, I no longer wish to be friends with you. You totally cramp my style and get mad over the stupidest stuff. Laterrr." I stared at the screen with my mouth open. "Hun, your going to get flies in your mouth if you don't shut it." Adorno almost whispered. "STUPID BITCH! AFTER EVERYTHING WE'VE BEEN THROUGH AND SHE'S JUST GOING TO DUMP ME LIKE THAT!? WHO THE HELL DOES SHE THINK SHE IS?!" I cursed. I was surprised my mom didn't come yell at me some more. She was probably out of energy.

"Well, Avangalin,-" I spat. "-thats fine with me. You never were up to my friend standards anyways. Have a nice life." I sent the video and checked my mail. Nix had replied. At least there was something to look forward to.

Oh, thats good. I really didn't want you to be mad. Oh, I didn't know you and her were fighting. Anything you want to talk about? I'm bored and have nothing else to do. I'll be here a while if you feel like talking. :)

Nix.

"ADORNO! ADORNO OH MY GOD! OHHH GOD! HE PUT A SMILEY FACE! HE DOES! HE DOES! HE DOES!" I screamed. I literally stood up and began jumping around. "Zelphy, calm down. It seems like he has at least a mild interest in you. Let's dig deeper into his soul. Shall we?" I scowled at Adorno, but agreed. He was always so right.

Um,,, yeah sure. Well ever since she told you that she liked you, I was really pissed at her because she totally went behind my back and stuff. It was just totally bogus. Then she video messages me like 5 minutes ago and says "I don't want to be friends with you because you 'cramp' my style." I mean... what the heck is that? I don't know. Life just kind of sucks right now.

Zelphy.

I hit send when another video message popped up on my screen. It was from an unknown source. I accepted it. The screen was black at first but then it became lighter. As the image became clearer, I could make out stars. Lots of stars. The camera shifted and there was a sliver room with two people in it. The film must be black and white because the people look grey. Then I noticed a hint o color in the room.

No... there was no effing way I was seeing this right now. These were Nobodies. But where were they? I thought they all got terminated.

"Zelphemyia 21-16-38-09. This is a message from the NSSC. These are Nobodies. I know you've wondered about your sister right? We'll she's here." I just stared at the screen as the grey people stared at the screen. I figured the camera man was the one talking.

But just what the hell was the NSSC? Why were they sending me a video? "We have been observing you and have thus concluded that you, unlike most of the people in world, just want peace and harmony among the People. To hear more, go to the old hover stadium just down the block from Cubes Electro Shock tomorrow night." The video cut. I watched it four more times. I had finally figured out that the voice was not coming from the actual facility, but it was recorded on the tape. Who was this person?

Should I meet up with them? "No you most certainly should not!" Adorno snapped. "How did you...?" "Oh I know you to well Zelphy. I know what you want to do. Don't you dare think about it missy. It's just some big hoax. Don't trust everything you see on the internet." I stuck my tongue out at Adorno and checked my messages. Nix had replied.

That was really shallow of her to do. From what I could tell, you didn't "cramp her style" at all. She more than likely cramped your style. Am I right?

What do you mean she went behind your back? If you don't mind me asking. And look on the bright side. Life can be unfair sometimes but you always have some way to make it better. :)

Nix

I turned to Adorno and opened my mouth into a perfect "O." I pointed to the screen with both hands and making a weird squealing noise. "WELL!? DO YOU BELIEVE ME NOW?!" Adorno still looked unsure. "I don't know..." "OH BE QUITE! WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BOYS!?" He raised his eyebrows at me. "I don't know about boys?" He mumbled.

Yeah... I don't know. She never did like the things I liked, so I guess you're right. Uh... she kind of knew something and went and asked you anyways. I don't mind you asking its just kind of hard to explain.

Thanks Nix. Thats really nice. I'll be sure to remember that when I'm feeling down.

"Adorno, he totally wants me. I know he does. I can just feel it." I said making fists and

pumping them in and out as if to say "hoo-ra." "How would you know? You've never had a boyfriend." "Why the hell are you so negative tonight? Are you jealous!?" I laughed as Adorno looked away stubbornly. "Stop being a baby and get yourself a cyber boyfriend already." He sat in the corner of my bed and pouted as he started to read a Sell Out magazine. Which was a fashion magazine if you couldn't tell.

My inbox chimed with another message.

Well... if it helps at all, I won't judge you. I'm not like that. ;) You can trust me,

Nix

"Aww.... Adorno, do you think I should tell him...?" He peered at me from over the top of the magazine. "Do what your heart feels, hon." I concentrated for a moment. My heard said do it. "LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST! HA-CHYA!" I announced before sending the message that would make or break my emotional state right now.

Well... you see... Avangalin knew that I kind of. well... really like you. Then she went and asked you out. Thats why I'm so angry with her. It was totally uncalled for and down right shady. Hope I don't sound like a creep...

Zelphy.

I hesitated over the send button, but finally sent it. I was shaking like mad. "Holy shit Alex. What the hell did I just do? OH MY GOD WHAT DID I DO?! He's going to think I'm some little creepy kid who wants to like... eat him or something! Oh my god! Shit!... Adorno... can't... breath..." I was going into a major panic attack. Adorno rushed over and smacked my back hard. "GAH!" I swallowed gulps of air. "Breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out." He coached me. I nodded my head and did my breathing. "Thanks... I thought I was a goner that time." Adorno stared at me for a moment then went back to reading his magazine.

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I never did get a message back from Nix last night. I figured that he thought I was so much of a creep that he like threw up all over the place and then deleted me from his friends list and now he wants to...well, I don't know. Once again, I was getting way ahead of myself.

The school bell rang and I walked into my biology class. Ah, shit. Nix was in here. And wouldn't you know it, the seat next to him was the only one left.

The room was large. The walls were a cream color and the floor was white tile. It looked sterile to say the least. The tables we sat at were round and large enough to fit four people comfortably. The tops were translucent and the table itself floated in the air, but stay put with a special magnetics system. You could thank the Advancies for that nifty invention.

What I wouldn't give to sit by at least Katie Lyn right now. With each step I took, it seemed like I was walking to my funeral. I could hear the funeral march now.

I sat next to Nix awkwardly. He didn't even look at me. Oh god... He must want to run and hide right now. AH! He probably showed all his friends and they were all making fun of me. What an ass!

"Hey Zelphy." I looked over at Nix with vexation. "Uh, are you okay?" I felt totally stupid now, and a little guilty. I cleared my throat. "Um, yeah, fine. Sorry about that..." I said a little embarrassed. "Listen... about your message yesterday-" "Okay class pull up your Biology Retnas and lets begin where we left off yesterday." Our biology teacher Ms. Vexille called. Nix looked at me and silently told me he would talk to me later. My stomach felt like it was filled with feathers trying to force their way up and out of my esophagus. Hope I didn't puke everywhere...

I sat on the wall of the courtyard alone staring at the sky. Lunch was one of my favorite periods, but Art just made my day. In Art class Ms. Kurfufle let us do anything that would inspire us to draw, paint, photograph, or what ever your art forte may be. I always looked to nature on days like these (sunny, clear, and a bit windy) for inspiration. Ms. Kurfufle was one of the most colorful people you would meet. Physically and verbally. She had her hair in two messy buns on the sides of her head. She had her hair gene altered so that it was naturally electric blue.

Her thin mildly plump lips were always plastered with cherry red lipstick and her eyeshadow was a new color everyday.

I don't think I had ever seen her wearing pants. Ever. She never wore anything that constricted her body in anyway. She always wore flowing dresses that you would find from way back in the day. Almost all the way back to the 19th century. I had always wondered where she found this stuff.

"Hey Zelphy, can I come up there?" A voice below asked. It was Nix. My palms started to sweat. "Y-yeah. Sure." I tapped the side of my temple and my sunglasses materialized on my face. They were my favorite, aviators. He climbed up and sat across from me. The sun danced over his green eyes. He seemed delighted about something.

"So... about yesterday-" "I totally understand if you think I'm some creepy girl that you never want to talk to ever again." I blurted cutting him off. I put my hands over my mouth. Ah...crap. He stared at me awkwardly.

"Actually... I think your kind of amazing." He said almost to quiet for my ears. A light blush blossomed over his pale cheeks. I blushed as well. I looked down, but looked at him from under my shades. "El, I just want to say that I-" "Alright class! You've had your inspiration time! Let's put it to work!"

Nix looked disappointed. I felt nervous. What was he going to say? We hopped off the wall and walked over to our art supplies.

I was a great graphic design artist. I sat in front of one of the cyber walls. I blinked once and twitched my pointer finger and opened my WT. "Mixer, please."

Mixer was the photo editing program I used. Everybody had their own program they made that fit their abilities. I had taken a picture of a couple holding hands by the river. It was only their backs, but with a little work it would be amazing! I touched it up just perfect and turned it into Ms. Kurfufle.

"Oh Zelphemyia, this is so moving!" She held it to her chest. "I'll be putting it on display if you don't mind." I smiled. " Not at all.

I walked over to Nix to see what he was painting. He was a mind-boggling painter. Every stroke he made looked like it wasn't even planned out. It just came to him naturally.

The painting he had now was beautiful. I was black and white except for the girls eyes. They were a bright and shocking shade of green. They stood out above everything else. "Oh my god Nix... thats beautiful." He turned around and his cheeks were bright red. "Thanks." He smiled. "Who is she?" I asked clasping my hands behind my back.

"Just this girl. I've always wanted to paint her and today I finally got the right inspiration for it. I really do like it. It's one of my favorites." I looked at it harder. "She's really pretty, who ever she is." I envied this girl more than anything in the world right now. "I know. She's the prettiest girl I know..." He sighed and looked at me. "What?" I asked. He laughed at me. "You know what I named this painting?" I shook my head no. "Zelphy."