Book I

Chapter 1

I just got your messages!

I groaned as my alarm's tone finally registered in my head, reaching my arm out of the warmth of my comforter to fumble around for the device before it woke my roommate.

Every morning I wake up to the same sweet sound

Picking up my phone that's been ringing

Wondering what's new? What have I missed? I was offline

Anyway, I'll end up hearing your story~

"Yo, dude, Ben, turn that off," I heard a groggy voice choke out. "It's too early."

"Sorry, Ethan," I muttered, my fingers finally finding the "OFF" switch. I sighed as I threw my comforter off and shivered. I grabbed the fluffy green throw blanket I kept at the feet of my bed and wrapped it around my body. Next, I fumbled for my red framed glasses and slid them on.

I walked over to my desk and opened the laptop I had left charging the night before, sitting in the swivel chair. Opening up Skype, I saw a message pop up just then from my friend Tenka.

"Hey, do you remember what happened last night?" the message read.

I wracked my brain to bring up the events last night, my eyes scrunched tight. After a moment, coming up with nothing, I clicked the "WRITE A MESSAGE…" bar, and began typing a response.

"no, why? what happened?" I clicked send.

"IDK, I don't remember," Tenka replied.

I shrugged and typed out, "well, if u do remember at some point, text me. i'll text u if i remember. i gotta get to class. see ya." I clicked "SEND" and closed my laptop.

Passing a mirror, I looked over my appearance. My shaggy, dyed red hair fell across my slightly tanned face and brown-green hazel eyes. The dye was fading. Maybe I'd have Ethan touch it up tonight if he doesn't have plans. I have some blue dye, I thought. Maybe I can do that and see if it'll come out purplish.

I tossed my blanket back onto my bed and stretched my arms above my head, then leaned down to press my palms against the coarse carpet. It'd taken me years of practise to be able to become this flexible.

Standing back up, I looked in the mirror and almost screamed, jumping back and hitting my back against my desk, knocking over a lamp and a cup filled with pencils.

Still looking at my reflection, which mirrored my every move, I pressed a hand to my chest, feeling my heart race at speeds I never knew possible.

My reflection was me, obviously, but with opposite colours. My hair was a monochromatic green, my skin was a dark grey, and my eyes were a frightening shade of red. Everything was invertly coloured. I gingerly touched my face, my breath ragged.

"Dude," Ethan started. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I blinked, and the colours of my reflection returned to normal. I looked over at Ethan before shaking my head and walked over to my dresser. "It's fine, I'm fine."

I pulled out a black long sleeved shirt, a grey vest, and dark blue jeans. Opening the top drawer, I pulled out a pair of white crew socks. I threw my clothes onto my bed and pulled off my tank top and slid on the the black shirt over my head, then pulled on the vest and buttoned it up. After pulling on the jeans and socks, I looped a worn belt around my waist and dug under my bed for my shoed.

Once I had my Vans tied on, I grabbed a brush and fought with my hair for a good five minutes before succeeding. I grabbed a hair tie and put my hair back in a small ponytail.

Walking over to my desk, I grabbed my laptop and pushed it into my bag, along with the cord and my tablet. I check my bag for my camera and art supplies, and once I made sure they were there, I grabbed my keys, phone and earbuds.

"See you later, Ethan," I called as I shut the door behind me. I plugged my earbuds in and put my phone on shuffle, walking to the stairs. I hear the familiar guitar riff and smiled.

You shout it out

But I can't hear a word you say

Talkin' loud

"Not sayin' much," I sang quietly as I descended the stairs.

"I'm criticised, but all your bullets ricochet. Shoot me down, but I get up." Floor 15.

"I'm bulletproof, nothin' to lose. Fire away, fire away. Ricochet, you take your aim. Fire away, fire away. Shoot me down, but I won't fall. I am titanium." Floor 14.

Floor 13. "Cut me down, but it's you who'll have further to fall. Ghost town, and haunted love." Floor 12.

"Raise your voice. Sticks and stones may break my bones. Talkin' loud, not sayin' much." Floor 11.

"I'm bulletproof, nothin' to lose. Fire away, fire away. Ricochet, you take your aim. Fire away, fire away." Floor 10.

"Shoot me down, but I won't fall. I am titanium. Shoot me down, but I won't fall. I am titanium." Floor 9.

"I am titanium." Floor 8.

"I am titanium." Floor 7.

"I am titanium." Floor 6.

"I am titanium." Floor 5.

"Stone heart, machine gun. Firing the ones who run. Stone heart, loves bulletproof glass." Floor 4.

"Shoot me down, but I won't fall. I am titanium. Shoot me down but I won't fall. I am titanium." Floor 3. "I am titanium. I am titanium."

"Shoot me down, but I won't fall. I am titanium." Floor 2. ""Shoot me down, but I won't fall. I am titanium."

"I am titanium." Floor 1.

Walking out, I felt a shiver make its way down my spine. I looked around, but all the while, I felt eyes stare me down. The feeling I had in middle school was back: The fear that I am always being watched.

I jumped when I heard violins, realising it was just my music. I walked over to the bike rack, trying to shake off the supernatural feeling as I strapped on my helmet.

Hopping on my bike, I smiled as I felt the feeling go away. I started pedalling.