As you walk the path of least resistance
Is it as simple as you claim it to be?
Your tongue, your eyes
Your lies, they do deceive you

The two talked for hours, about this and that. Most of which Rick was completely unaware of, Music, Movies, Television. Next to a few really old bands he discovered, he didn't have much to talk about. So the entire time he sat there with a slight grin on his face listening to Jane talk.

"...and we have a track meet tomorrow, Coach says I get to be the front runner and..." Jane trailed off as Rick stood up, "Oh I'm so sorry, I'm probably boring you to death." Rick took off his shirt and walked over to a drawer searching for something clean to wear. What must be understood is that, Rick really didn't know how to act around people, especially women. She froze in mid sentence as she watched him change into a different shirt, she couldn't help but notice how tone Rick and the strange tattoo of a pyramid on his left shoulder but there was something she noticed, something that made her blood run cold. Deep red cuts ran up and down both of his arms. Dozens, all crossing one another, "Oh my God! Rick, what'd you do to your arm!?!" Jane jumped up and ran over to him to get a better look. They ran deep and rigged across his forearms, "Rick..."

Staring back at her Rick couldn't understand. What does she care what I do to myself. No one else does...Yet she does seem so concerned. That's because she cares about you. Shaking his head, Rick sighed taking his arm away from her, "Look...It's nothing all right. Besides by tomorrow, they'll be nothing but small scars, so don't worry about it." He pushed past her and opened the fridge to grab a Beer, "you want one?"

"No, I think I've had enough for one night." Rick, how could you do that to yourself, those will be there for days...why?...Why am I so struck back by this?...I don't have a-

"yeah, that's fine. So what happened to ya tonight anyways? Why were you at that fucking dive of a bar anyways?" Taking a seat on a nearby chair waiting for a response.

"Huh? Oh! Me and my two friends the um....the girls who dragged me away earlier today thought it was going to be a good idea. Their boyfriends ended up showing up and they left. They left me, so I figured I'd finish off a few more, when that guy came in and grabbed me. Rick. I was never so scared in my life. Thank you for saving me." She gently smiled and looked at her watch. "Holy shit! It's almost 2! And I've got a track meet tomorrow, Rick can you please take me home?"

Mesmerized by her smile he snapped to, What's going on with me? You're letting me in. "Huh?" he slapped himself and shook his head, "Of course."

The ride was quick, and within 10 minutes Rick dropped her off at her doorstep. Flashing him a smile and a wink, she ran inside.

What is wrong with me? What am I feeling? You're feeling me, let me in and the pain will disappear. Staring back at himself, Rick stood in front of a mirror, his arm outstretched over the sink a large knife in his other. I don't want to feel this. But you do, you like what I have given you and you want more. No I don't! Get out of my head! He brought the knife down across his arm, blooding spilling into the sink, the searing pain coursed through his arm but he smiled. Again and Again, Rick tore into his skin until he could no longer hear the voice in his head. The sink was stained with blood, his knife still dripping into the sink, as he stared at himself, the monster in the mirror, horrified. I am a monster.

I stand firm in my solidarity
The path I walk, I walk it with my own resolve
When darkness falls we are reborn
Our dream since the fall of man
We are reborn

The typical school day began again. Students buzzing about, conversations seemed to travel in one ear in out the other, except one.

"Oh my GOD! Jane! I'm so sorry, we should have never left you at that bar, are you all right? They didn't hurt you or anything did they? Who was it?" Megan looked as if her eyes were about to tear up, as she pummeled herself internally.

"I'm fine, no need to worry and as for who it was I believe it was someone from the Westside Kings. I'm fine though."

"Did you see Rick there?" Megan questioned, her eyes looked intently as she glanced over to see Rick with his face in a book.

"Yes-"

"I told you!"

"And he was the one that saved me." Jane turned and smiled at our gothic teenager.

Class ended in its traditional fashion as the students began to pour out of the room, but before Rick could leave Jane jumped in front of him. "Rick, I can't thank you enough for yesterday and uh...I was wondering if you wouldn't mind coming to my track meet today?"

With a silent laugh, Rick nodded his head, "sure."

The Crowd seemed to swell as the shot rang out sending our runners forward in a seemingly race for their lives. Our gothic hero pushed himself forward trying to avoid gazes but the student body couldn't seem to get over the fact that he had shown up. Thoughts, thoughts of other people, entered his head as he tried his best to block them. The thoughts of rejection, of why he should even bother coming outside, but our star continued forward until he found himself in front of a group of broad shouldered jocks. Great, what the fuck do these guys want?

"We don't want you hanging around Jane anymore Rick." The leader of the pack bellowed trying to act intimidating. He wore jeans and a black t-shirt that was tight to try and flaunt his physique. His hair was gelled and highlighted and screamed poser.

"Get outa my way Lucas." Rick's gaze remained constant as he showed no signs of backing down from a fight.

"We know what you are, you aren't good enough for Jane and we don't want you getting her mixed up in your corrupt business."

"I came here to see her run and I intend on doing just that, now get outa my way." Rick's gaze tightened as his vision turned red again, the pace of time seemed to slow. Giving a cute grin, Rick winked and Lucas flew backwards. He tried to get up but found Rick standing over him in what seemed like an instant. "I told ya to stay outa my way." Making his way up to the line where the crowd had gathered he watched as Jane pushed herself across the finish line. Aren't you glad you came? How should I know? You know. He watched as Jane began to look around frantically, so, he concentrated his thoughts and sent his message.

Heart pounding and legs throbbing Jane pushed herself across the finish line just seconds before the other runners. Coming to a halt, she gasped for air and began to scan the crowd. The whole time she had been looking for Rick, Please Rick. Please show up, but she didn't see him. Turning around she began to head back to her coach when she heard someone call out to her, "over here." Rick you did come. Spinning around hoping to see Rick standing next her but, No one! Looking up again Just one last time, please Rick. Jane spotted someone dressed in all black hanging out by the side of the fence waving. Thank you.

My beliefs are not antiquated
We are the hope
Silence them all with not just words
Let resolution be our voice

The whistle blew as the ball was thrown in the air and gym class began. Rick tipped the ball backwards and the game was under way. The two teams of three sprinted up and down the court in a mock basket ball game. Jane sat off to the side, watching I can't take my eye's off Rick, why?

"Jane? Are you staring at Rick?" Megan said sitting down next to her. She watched as her face turned a bright shade of red.

"N-No."

"Liar. Look, I know Rick may have saved your life but you have to trust me on this one, stay away from him." They both turned to watch as Rick jumped back sinking a three-pointer and their attention was turned to his arms. Dozens of tiny pink lines ran up and down his forearms, "I told ya he was a masochist, look just consider what I told ya."

"just leave me alone Meg." Jane stood up to leave, but not before she turned back and glanced at the scars, when she noticed they had all healed over. Those should have been there for days, Rick....how's that possible?

I stand firm in my solidarity
The path I walk, I walk it with my own resolve
When darkness falls we are reborn
Our dream since the fall of man
We are reborn

Shoulders hunched over Rick walked briskly down the street. He hated being around so many people, all the noise, he walked fast just to get home and away from the commotion of the outside world. Turning the corner, Rick began a slow jog past a familiar café, when he heard someone call out his name. As he looked up, Jane sat across the street waving her hand, "Rick, come here!" She yelled across traffic.

Go over to her. Why? You need to be with her. I don't need to be with anyone. But she makes you happy. You may deny it, but I know your emotions, your heart flutters whenever she talks to you, go to her. Wha- What am I feeling? Go to her. ...Fine.

With long strides Rick weaved in and out of traffic, missing cars by inches. "Yeah?" Rick said as he walked up to Jane. Why does she look so happy? You Know.

"Rick, do you want to join me? I was just about to order lunch?" Jane's eyes lit up with joy, and the aura of excitement surrounding her could have been cut with a knife. I do. I can't believe it, I must...I have a crush on Rick. She was seated outside at a small table, a small vase of flowers sat in the middle and two white chairs were set across from one another. I knew there was a reason why I wanted to come here today.

"Umm....I guess so," Rick took a seat, rolling up his sleeves he grabbed a menu, "Um...what were you gonna order?" Thumbing through the pages of the small black menu, undecided as to what he felt hungry for.

"Oh...well, to be honest, I'm really not that hungry, I just had a strange desire to come here, funny huh?"

"Yeah I guess so...I guess I'll just have coffee then."

Lunch dragged on, neither of them eating anything. They sat and talked over 5 cups of coffee, remaining in the same clique they were before. Jane talked as Rick listened slowly nodding, though no sings of boredom were expressed on his face, he was actually smiling.

"...So Rick, could you possibly help me with my chemistry homework? I'm having such a hard time with it lately and well, since you've got the best grades in the class..." Jane looked down at her cup feeling ashamed as she began to blush slightly, looking back up she realized for the first time Rick's ice blue eyes and couldn't help but stare, "Rick, your eyes are beautiful..."

"Wha-? Oh...thanks." She's always looking at me like that...why do my cheeks feel like they're burning?

"You're blushing Rick!" His cheeks turned bright red, "Did I embarrass you?" Jane said, humor and excitement hung in the air, as Jane tried to keep herself from laughing. I can't believe I made him blush, he's so cute.

"N-no...I'd be glad to help you with your homework though," What am I saying? Why would I be glad? Because you want to continue seeing her. Do I? "stop on by later tonight, I'm gotta go now so..."

"Bye." The giddiness in her tone surprised even herself, "I'll stop by around 7."

We are the remnant
We the remnant will silence them all
We are the faithful
We the faithful will silence them all

The steps to Rick's apartment were worn, cracks ran through them like rivers. As Jane made her way up the steps she couldn't help but blush, she had finally come to turns with herself and her feelings for Rick, but she still didn't understand why. Upon reaching the landing Jane was shocked to see Rick rounding the corner. His general school attire had been replaced by a long black trench coat, a flak vest, and a rifle that was five feet long hung at his side. Rick's general weary expression had been replaced by one of serious thought, his brow was furrowed and his eyes looked heavy. Looking up, he passed a quick glance at Jane and tried to move past her. "I have to go and take care of something, I'm sorry...I'm sorry I can't tutor you right now Jane."

Speechless, Jane stepped aside letting Rick pass, what is he going to do? Rick...."Rick...I..."

"I'm sorry Jane, I'll talk to you tomorrow." without uttering another word he turned around and left. A black SUV quickly sped up, giving Rick just enough time to get in before it disappeared.

"..."

When darkness falls we are reborn
Our dream since the fall of man
We are reborn