Sydney's POV

I watched my pale face recover some colour as I plastered makeup on I put alot more on then usual but when I was finished I stepped back and studied my face I looked tired but more then that there was a coldness in my eyes that never used to be there. I grabbed my eyeliner pencil and applied it making my eyes stand out more then usual, I stood back again happy with my appearance I grabbed my bag and headed for the door. I stomped down the stairs to the caffeteria for my breakfast but I hesitated when I reached the door remebering how angry Jill had been with me last night. Instead I turned on my heel and headed up the path towards the middle campus as I passed the football field Trey called out to me but I didn't turn or even hesitate I just ignored him comletely, I continued to stalk up the path towards the building. I pushed the door open hard without looking, as it swung open it smashed into someone who yelped out with pain. I glanced up at the guy he was gorgeous with light blonde hair and alot of muscle, I survade him silently. He looked down at me still holding his nose, the shock on his face was as easy read as the five lanugages I learnt. I wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone today. I patted the stranger on the shoulder and said "Toughen up cheif" before walking back down the hall I can't believe I just said that who the hell am I now,I laughed out loud at that thought I wasn't me anymore I wasn't that perfect little alchemist that I used to be. I went to the library to gather my thoughts and to hide out I was deep in thought when the second bell rang indicating that everyone should be in class, I let out a deep sigh and pushed out of my chair. I walked in to history class late I might add though I wasn't worried it's not like I need to be here to pass every test. The teacher looked up as the door slambed behind me, I glanced around to find a seat. I caught the eye of the gorgeous blonde boy from the hall before I even made the decision to a vicious smirk came to my lips. I strolled toward the only open desk which happened to be behind him, I dropped my bag next to the desk and pulled out my books.

"Miss Melbourne" Mrs T said interrupting my day dreaming. I looked up to find everyone staring in my direction.

"Sorry Miss but can I have a bathroom pass?" I asked. She stared at me for a second longer before turning to get me a pass. While she writing a pass out I packed my books back into my bag I swung it over my shoulder and walked to the front of the class grabbed the pass and walked away. I couldn't be in this place any longer I felt like a lion trapped in a cage I needed to get away, I need to escape for a while. I jumped in my car and took off I little too quickly spinning the wheels as I went, I didn't have any idea where I was going to go. I wasn't concentrating on the road or my surroundings I was deep in thought but when I slowed to a stop I glanced around me and realised I'd pulled up infront of a Liquer shop. I jumped out of latte and walked inside, five minutes later I came back out carrying a bottle of Jack Daniels and a packet of menthol cigarettes. The drive to the top of the mountain was slow but it was well worth it, I got out and looked over at Palm Springs it was beautiful from up here and the wind was warm and dry the way I always loved it.

I sat on the hood of latte for hours and hours drinking and smoking until I was out of both I had sucessfully numbed the anger and pain in my chest. I pulled out my phone to check the time but when I glanced at it but couldn't read the time I squinted and moved the phone closer to my face 1:45am. I looked closer I had eight new messages and five missed calls, I looked at the messages first the three were from Eddie, one was from Angeline, two were from Jill and the last two were from Adrian.

Where are you? - Eddie

Come on Syd. Where'd you go? - Eddie

Answer me Sydney I'm starting to get really worried.-Eddie

Eddie is starting to get worried hurry up and come back -Angeline

Sydney where are you? Eddie said you left in the middle of class - Jill

Syd please answer your phone i'm really worried I had to tell Adrian. Sorry -Jill

Sydney everyones worried can you just call someone back. - Adrian

Where the hell are you Sage I can't find you anywhere. Answer your phone god damn it. - Adrian.

Just as I finished reading the text messages the phone started to ring in my hand I stared at the ID before answering

"Hello" I said not sure what else to say.

"Sage where the hell are you? Are you ok?" Adrians voice sounded panicked.

"Calm down. I'm Fine"I replied in a dead voice that slurred at the end of my words.

"What's going on? Where have you been? No-one has seen you since this morning?"

"I just needed some time away."I slurred leaning back on the bonnet of latte. "I'm about to go to school anyway."

"Sage are you ... are you drunk?" he asked unsure.

"Me SydneyKatherine Sage drunk? Are you kidding me?" I barked out a laugh that was so far from genuine.

"Sage just tell me where you are and I'll come get you"

"I don't need help. I never need help. I can deal with this on my own." I replied angrily.

"Sage just tell me where you are please, please Sydney just tell me where you are?"

"Have you ever looked down on so many people? Do you know what it's like to stand on top of the world and watched the people wonder around aimleslly? It's quite amusing really." I laughed another hollow laugh.

"Sydney your not making sence. How much have you had to drink anyway?"

"I only had one bottle I swear, Oh You know you should come see this for yourself it's beautiful." I was slurring again.

"Ok I'll join you, Where are you?"His voice was gentle

"The lookout. I'm at the lookout it's beautiful." I laughed again it was carfree laugh that I never thought would ever pass my lips.

When I got off the phone I walked over to the wall and looked out over my entire world I was truley happy for the first time in my life I had no weight on my shoulders, I had no orders to take. I felt alive, untouchable as I climbed the wall to sit on the top. It was quite difficult in my current condition but eventuallly I made it, I faced into the wind letting it blow my hair out behind me like a mane.

Adrian's POV

I grabbed the keys to my car and ran out the door, Sydney was the only thing I could think of. How could she get drunk? How did she get to the lookout? If I wasn't damn worried about her I would have been amused by her drunken ramblings. There was something majourly different about her today then again from what Jill told me about her trashed room and Eddie told me about her skipping school there was something bad going on that she couldn't deal with. I wish she would just talk to someone about it, why does she think she has to deal with everything by herself?

I swung onto the road leading to the lookout and sped along it climbing up the mountain. I spotted Sydney's car up ahead and pulled up next to it, I glanced in as a rushed past."Adrian. Adrian over here." Sydney called I looked up to find her standing on the wall at the edge of the cliff, panic screamed through please don't let her fall please don't let her fall.

I cautiously walked forward towards her as she bounded up and down impatiently like a small child, It took me a minute to notice small things about her like the bandges on her face but when I did notice my stomach dropped I felt sick, what the hell did she do to herself?. The second thing I notice was the cigarette that she took a long draw of before leaning her head back and exhaling. I was shocked my Sydney my beuatiful, gorgeous, pure, golden eyed girl, where was she now? The girl I loved was gone she hadn't just left she was gone.

When I reached her she took one last draw before flicking the butt over the cliff, she turned her gaze on me a cheeky smile playing over her lips. "Catch me." She demanded as she jumped off the wall towards me, if it wasn't for my unnatural speed she would have landed on the hard concrete. She fell in my arms bridal style, as she lay in my arms I stared down at her face. Her make up was dark and mean her tattoo was covered by a bandage and her eyes were filled with wonder and something else, something I couldn't quite put my finger on but whatever it was it didn't belong on this angels face.

I carried her to my car and placed her in the passenger seat without opening the door, the night was warm, warm enough to have the top down.

I climbed into the drivers side and started the engine before looking over at Sydney who was staring up at the stars rambling on about the constilations and planets. Trust her to give drunken lectures about everything, as we drove back down the mountain she lost sight of the sky which seemed to anger her. When we were back on the main road instead of turning back to the stars she stood up on her seat and held on to the windscreen and leant her head back. I was mesmirized by her she was so beautiful i couldn't fathom how she could be human, she couldn't be merely human she had to be an angel with eyes and hair like that she had to be.

Parking the car infront of the apartment Sydney jumped out and ran over to the steps, she stoped at the base of the stairs and looked at the ground. I walked over having no idea what she was looking at, I peered down at the spot and found that there was a blood stain. "Stupid stairs." Sage exclaimed angrily before treading up them I stared after her for a second summoning spirit to check her aura. I gazed at the midnight black aura of the girl I loved feeling sick, she wasn't just angry she was furious and depressed and scared and lonely.

I turned the key in my apartment door and guided her to the couch, she fell down on it as I went to get her a glass of water knowing the consequinces of a big night and Sage she had a huge night. When I got back to the lounge room Sydney was passed out still nursing her bottle of Jack Daniels, I tugged on the bottle there was only about a shot left in the bottle no wonder she was drunk. I sighed as I pulled a blacket up over her and tucked it in under her arms, I kissed her forehead and backed away. The bandages on her face were cutting me deeper every time I saw them, I fetched the first aid kit from the bathroom I leant over Sydney gently peeled the bandage off her forehead. I gasped at the very large very deep gash came into view "Oh Sydney what happened?" I went to work cleaning it and fixing it as best I could before turning to the large patch over her cheek. I was scared as to what I would find under this one I took a deep breath and peeled back this one aswell as I looked under the cover my stomach contents rose in my throat. Leaning over the toilet spilling my dinner was not something I enjoyed but looking at Sydneys woundes were sickening she was so beautiful but to see her face cut up and bloody was unbareable.

An hour later I'd finally finished cleaning her wounds but I continued to stare at the one on her cheek I could see pieces of the golden tattoo but it was no longer whole just an indistinguishable miss of gold lines and bloody cuts. It really did break my heart to see her like this but I couldn't do anything about it, well I could heal her but I knew what she would say. I noticed the sweat on her forehead and gentle wiped it off trying not to hurt her cut, I stripped the blanket off her hoping it would cool her but she continued to sweat I reached around her to take her jacket off trying not to wake her. When I finally pulled the jacket off I threw it on the floor next to the couch before pulling off her glove. I stared in disbelief down at her hand it was again covered in a blood stained bandage, quickly I unraveled the cloth to reveal her knuckles the sick feel returned. They were cut so deep some of her bones could be seen, he grabbed her other hand unraveled it as well if anything the second hand was a lot worse.