Summary: Cross baording school is the place for all the rich kids. Full of drama, drugs, and teen problems. It has it's fair share of cliques and groups. When a new girl arrvies and starts throwing things off balance, through a coures of events, a few familair students will truly discover the value of friendship, love, and life entirely.

Pairings: Max/Marium. Ray/Mariah. Tyson/Salima. Kai/Hillary. Brooklyn/Tala

Cross

Chapter 1

It's funny how rumors start. One person tells an account of a certain story, and from there things completely get blown out of proportion, each recounting of the story distorts it more and more. In most cases rumors aren't true, and they can be used as nasty devices to spread horrible lies about people. Mariam was no stranger to rumors. Anyone who's been to ten different private schools in eleven years has got to have rumors circling about them. The funny thing was, all those nasty distorted stories, all those cruel things that people said about her, were true.

Cross boarding school was one of the most prestigious of it's kind. Interesting how it was one of the most internally corrupt. The school's superior's didn't know what really went on within it's walls, or did they, and just not want to do anything about it? No one could tell for certain. In any case, it cost a small fortune to send a child there, and they're discipline level was said to be impeccable, not tolerating the slightest infraction of the rules. Funny, how people broke the rules each and every day.

Like any school worth going to it had it's own sets of cliques and groups and so on. Ranging from the ages of 14 to 18 it thrived on gossip. As expected there was that one group that everyone wanted to be apart of. Cross had it's fare share of jocks, preps, goths, punks, and so on. But there was that one group, that you just couldn't get enough of. The one group that couldn't be labeled.

They sat outside in the courtyard, an unusual hang out spot for them. The first thing one would note about them, was the fact that they were all guys, very attractive, guys. Only three of them were present at the moment. One lay lazily on a bench, his flawless face upturned towards the sky. He had mesmerizing liquid amber eyes and dark ebony hair. The silver barbell through his eyebrow glinted in the sunlight. He smirked at nothing in particular, revealing pointed, long canines. One of his companions sitting above him looked down at him from his perch atop the cement wall. He had spiky slate hair and crimson eyes. You could tell by looking at him that he was one of the main mediators of the group. He had that commanding air that anyone would expect from a leader. He sighed contentedly. The last one sat nearby next to the first one on the bench, a pair of large headphones swung around his neck. He had dark navy blue hair that looked permanently tousled. His dark mohogany eyes and black lashes complimented his face perfectly. He wore silver plugs in his ears. The school's uniform was fairly simple; black pants, white button up shirts and navy blue blazers with the Cross crest sewn on perfectly to the right breast. Each member of the group wore their uniforms haphazardly, with the shirts partially unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up, tucked in at the front to reveal glinting belt buckles. They all sported black leather wrist bands, or gloves with the finger tips worn away. A loud bell rang from not far away, causing the "leader" to hop down from his seat on the wall.

"Are you guys coming?" he asked the group as he stretched widely. His name was Kai. At this the rest stood up slowly and picked up their bags. The amber-eyed one, Ray, swung his bag over his shoulder and turned to Kai.

"Have you seen Max today?" Ray asked. Kai shook his head.

"Not yet" he replied as they made their way towards the school

"Brooklyn mentioned something to me yesterday about him and Max having a detention with Miss Hart this morning." The third put in before slipping on his headphones

"So you and Brooklyn have gotten close then Tyson?" Kai asked the blue haired boy, but he didn't respond, only shrugged and opened the front door of the school.

The constant ticking of the clock was , for the moment, the only noise in the room. There were, on occasion, the small noises from the teacher, Miss Hart. She was the youngest teacher at the school, and it wasn't unheard of for some of the younger boys to be crushing on her. There had been many rumors around the school that Kai had only managed his good grades in her class because the two were secretly having an affair. She sat at the front of the class, buried in her book. Near the back of the classroom two boys sat. Both wearing bored expressions. You could tell immediately that they were part of Kai's group. One had flaming orange hair and twinkling teal eyes. A silver stud shone in his left ear. He stretched back lazily in his chair. The other boy sat with his foot propped up on his knee, writing on the side of his shoe. His platinum blonde hair fell in his aqua eyes. He had an almost boyish cute face, one that attracted a lot of attention from the Cross female population, but then again, who in Kai's group didn't?

After a few moments the orange-haired boy, Brooklyn, glanced up at the clock; 8:10, five minutes till the start of class. He turned to Max, the boy sitting next to him, throwing a wad of paper at the side of his head. Max looked up from his shoe, giving Brooklyn a questioning look. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Miss Hart clearing her throat and making her way over to them at the back of the classroom.

"Well boys, I hope you've learned your lesson." she started, leaning authoritatively over their desks.

"From now on…" and she launched into a long lecture about why they were there. Max tuned her out, looking at Brooklyn who was clearly looking down her blouse. He only smirked and rolled his eyes at him.

"So, I expect that in the future it will be clear to you both that the classroom, and the school for that matter, is no place for a live ferret (the two tried helplessly to hide their laughter at this) Am I making myself clear?" she asked.

"Yes Miss Hart" they chimed in unison.

"Good." Just then the school bell rang and the sound of children filled the halls. Miss Hart made her way back to her desk as the door swung open and her eleventh grade English class filed in.

Ray, Kai, and Tyson walked to the back next to their other two companions.

"Look at these trouble makers." Tyson laughed.

"Yeah, but look at their punishment," Ray stated, "Half an hour alone with Miss Hart!"

"Hey, save it ok," Tyson said, "She's Kai's woman." he laughed, taking off his headphones and replaced them around his neck. The rest of the group joined in, earning one of Kai's famous eye rolls

"Alright , alright, settle down everyone." Miss Hart called. The noise subsided almost immediately. Miss Hart smiled broadly, causing a few sighs to erupt around the room. "Today class, we will begin the next unit for the curriculum. We will be reading Shakespeare's Macbeth." she waited for an enthusiastic response, and when she received none continued "Before we actually begin, can anyone tell me anything about this play?" Miss Hart scanned the room, and noted, amusingly, that everyone was purposely avoiding eye contact. "How about you Mariah?" A pink haired girl in the second to last row looked slowly up at the teacher. Her penetrating golden eyes sparked in mischief constantly.

"Me, Miss Hart?'

"Yes you. I know you've read the play before." Mariah sighed, shaking a long piece of pink hair out of her face. She had a small pale mouth, and noticeably long incisors.

"Well, Macbeth is centered mainly around, greed and irony?" Miss Hart nodded encouragingly " It tells the tale of a man who was so deeply influenced by his greedy wife, he ultimately caused the death of them both."

"Ah, excellent. But, let's not give away the story before we've even begun shall we?" She began to hand out copies of the text.

"Well look who thinks they know everything." the girl sitting next to Mariah whispered to her. She had reddish hair, with brown undertones to it. The glint in her pale violet eyes gave away the fact that she wasn't serious.

"Salima you know me better than that." Mariah said to her friend. "This is most likely the only right thing I've said all year."

"School's barely two months in smarty pants." Salima goggled. Mariah only shrugged. She didn't like to let on that she was brilliant, she received enough attention for her looks anyway.

"What are you two talking about?' the girl on the other side of Mariah asked. She had short feathery brown hair and chocolate eyes. She was a dedicated fun-loving person, and like Salima and Mariah she was very pretty.

"Nothing Hill" Mariah said dismissively. Hillary pouted her blood red lips when Mariah didn't respond, but quickly forgot about it as they began to read from the text. Near the end of the class the P.A. system buzzed through the school speakers, causing most of the class to wince involuntarily.

"Excuse us for the interruption, but this is an announcement for all students. The annual school kick-off autumn ball dance is coming up fast. Tickets are now on sale for five dollars at the box-office next to the drama room. So buy a ticket before they're all gone, and come to one of the most exciting nights of the year. That is all Cross, thank you for your attention." another loud beep and the announcement was over. Almost instantly mild buzzing went through the room , all conversations about the dance no doubt. Ray and Max exchanged amused looks about all the hype over a silly dance. Just then, the bell sounding the end of class rang, and everyone quickly packed up their things and left noisily.

"So, what do you think about this dance Kai?" Brooklyn asked as they left the class and headed down the hall.

"I suppose I'll go, if only to make an appearance."

"Ahh yes…" Tyson said in a far off voice, "Because what would a dance be, after all, if the great Kai didn't show." The group all laughed at this comment. Kai rolled his eyes yet again. After a few moments, Ray spotted something over by the message board and drifted away from the rest of the group.

Mariah stood in front of the bulletin board contemplating whether she should sign up for the young writers contest.

"So, this dance thing…"

"Huh?" Mariah said, turning to see Ray approaching her. She pursed her lips at him. "Yeah… what about it?"

"Are, you gonna go?" she shrugged

"I haven't decided yet. Why do you ask?" Ray smirked at her

"I think you already know the answer to that…" She raised her eyebrows at him, but his expression didn't change. "Why are you trying to fight what has to be Mari? You know you want me." At this she laughed beautifully.

"Oh Ray.." she sighed leaning closer to him, "How did you know.. This is what I've wanted all along." Ray's eyes widened for a split second but then he easily wrapped his arms around her tiny waist.

"I can see it in your eyes…" she smiled seductively and leaned in. He could smell the wonderful natural scent of rosewater on her, feel her breath on his cheek., he pulled her closer, and then, he pressed his mouth against her…… the-" He gasped, opening his eyes to see that he wasn't kissing Mariah, but her math textbook! "What the hell is this!" he asked backing away. She was laughing merrily at him, a sound like tinkling water falling over his ears. He glared at her obvious amusement at the dirty trick.

"Aahh Ray.. You may have just about every girl at this school falling at your feet. But trust me, this is one girl you'll never understand." With that she turned on her heel and walked into the first classroom she came to. Ray stood in the middle of the hall for a few moments longer with a perplexed look on his face.

At last the bell for lunch rang. Tyson thought it would never sound and end his misery in history class. His teacher, Mr. Connors, was one of those teachers that enjoyed droning on, feeling that students shouldn't get handouts, but listen to long lectures and take notes. So far he'd learned that Mr. Connors sometimes spat when he spoke, lightly sprinkling the front row, and that, history was most-likely the most pointless class ever!

He gladly walked out of the class briskly walking past Mr. Connors for fear of getting some post-lecture spittle. He purposely pulled his headphones over his ears spotting a group of girls making there way towards him. They were that group of girls wearing overly-orange makeup, overly-pale pink lip gloss, overly-open shirts, overly-manicured nails, overly-tight pants, and overly-high underwear. The sight of them nearly made him gag. Their lead girl was Larissa Norton, by far one of the most popular girls at school, and for all of the wrong reasons. She smiled at him as he passed, revealing her perfectly white smile. All this dance stuff was ridiculous. Girls suddenly started pairing people off, competing for who would get the best date. It was like the school had been transformed into the animal kingdom, but then again, with high school sometimes it's hard to tell which is which. One thing was for certain though. The girls were definitely the top carnivore.

Then just as he turned the hall towards the cafeteria slam! He crashed head on with another student knocking them both to the ground.

He looked up, startled, to see an equally startled Salima sitting on the floor in front of him. Now there was one girl who wasn't affected by the dance hype. She gave him a perplexed look, then smiled.

"Sorry bout that, guess I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." she said. Tyson stood up and offered her a hand up.

"It's all good. I wasn't really paying attention either." she laughed, putting her soft hand in his and pulled herself up.

"Thanks."

"No problem." he replied. "Were you headed to lunch?" she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear nodding,

"Yeah.."

"Well, just to let you know, the cafeteria is in the other direction." Salima laughed

"I know, I was just going to return these books to the library first." she stated.

"Oh, ok. Well.. I'll see you round then." he said,

"Mhmmm" she replied, then smiled and walked past him to the library. The library, a place Larissa had most-likely never heard of. How could Salima be so different from the other girls. Her and her friends, Mariah and Hillary, always managed to rise above the rest. They were probably the only other group in the school that people wanted to be around as much as Kai and his friends.

Mariah sat at the table staring at her cafeteria chicken burger. She could almost hear it saying, try me, I dare yah. How precious. Cafe food was never something to be trusted. But after that interesting encounter with Ray she needed something fatty, and most likely licensed to kill to take her mind off of it, hence, the chicken burger. Hillary sat across from her talking about her parents latest row, and how it was undoubtedly affecting her.

"And then she goes on about how I have to get into a good college and earn lots of money.. You know, make a career for myself that will keep me out of welfare? She's so ridiculous, she has it set in her mind that my father is a bad influence on me. As if I'd ever have to be on welfare, my parents are loaded!" she huffed, hopefully, Mariah thought, feeling better now that everything was out of her system. She glanced down at her plate of salad, but decided to continue to ignore it. Mariah sighed and shook her head.

"Hill I understand how you're feeling. Everyone's parents put pressure on them. Just try and relax and forget bout it. Your grades are spectacular, and there's no doubt you'll succeed in life, so just, calm down ok?"

"Yeah… yah I suppose you're right."

"Good. So, what else is new?" Hillary raised an eyebrow at her.

"Mariah, I have two thirds of my classes with you. We share the same dorm room. We eat together, sleep in the same place…..anything that's new, you probably know already. So the question is, what's so new with you that you don't want to tell me?" Mariah laughed nervously.

" I, really don't know what you're talking about Hillary." she said, sipping some Dr. Pepper. Hillary quirked an eyebrow at her friend.

"Oh give me a break Mariah, I know you better than you know yourself." Mariah looked down and sighed. Just then Salima came over and sat next to Hillary, a small portion of fries in front of her.

"Hey guys, whatsup?"

"Oh nothing, just that Mariah here was about to tell me what's been bothering her." Salima looked over at Mariah with an "oh really?" look on her face.

"Do tell Mari." she prompted.

"Well it's…..it's, Ray."

"Ooohhh.. Go on.."

"I don't know. .. Everyone knows that he's liked me for the longest time, but I've never returned that interest. But, lately…. He's been….."

"What? He's been what?" Salima asked. Hillary gasped. "What it is!"

"Our Mariah here has fallen for the one guy she promised she'd never fall for." Mariah glared at her,

"I have not!"

"Suuuuuurree……" Hillary teased. Salima laughed,

"Ah, young love." she chimed.

"This is not young love Salima! So just, drop that thought right now."

"Oh come on Mariah."

"Come on nothing! I don't like him, and that's the end of that subject." she was spared further torment by her friends because just then Larissa came strolling over to them. Although conversation continued throughout the cafe it was obvious that everyone was watching. She stopped next to the end of the table smiling brightly at the three of them. It was well known that although the two groups of girls weren't sworn enemies, they weren't close.

"Can we help you?" Mariah asked tartly. Larissa smiled sweetly at her,

"Actually Mariah you can help me." Mariah frowned.

"And how's that?"

"Well, let's not pretend, you are quite the smart girl. You answered Miss Hart's question today in class so well. By the way I absolutely love what you've done with your hair, it's positively fabulous. Anyways! I was wondering if, you could help me with this Macbert thing in class, cause we both know I don't have time for silly plays, while you on the other hand do! So, if from now on you could do my MacBart work, I'm sure we can work something out, I'd be happy to give you tips on your makeup up, or even redoing your roots." She continued to smile brightly as Salima and Hillary tried to suppress their laughter.

"So, you want me to do your English work for you, in exchange for beauty tips…?" Mariah repeated, her expression unreadable.

"There you go! That's just what I want." Mariah began to laugh, a sound that resonated throughout the whole cafe . Larissa's smile began to falter, but only slightly.

"Are you serious?" Mariah gasped. Larissa frowned and her face twisted into a cruel look. She leaned toward Mariah so that their faces were only a foot apart.

'Look! I'm trying to be nice about this, so let's not make a scene alright?' she said coldly.

"Hah! You wouldn't know nice if it came over and pulled your thong higher on your hips!' Larissa gasped and stepped back.

'What did you say!"

"I didn't stutter. You say you want to give me beauty tips? I'll give you one. Whatever it is that you call beauty, I call skanky. The only guys who would ever look twice at you don't see you, they see your boobs, your ass and your money! The only friends you have are there trying to catch some of your popularity, most likely going down the same slutty path as you. And as for helping you with your MACBETH! Work. I wouldn't help you if I was laying on my dying bed and you were the last one who could save me!" With that Mariah took a huge bite out of her burger. The rest of the cafe fell dead silent. Some of Larissa's entourage stood back, shocked expressions plastered on their faces. Larissa was utterly speechless. She huffed loudly causing Mariah to look back up at her. "Don't you have someone to blow?' Mariah asked nonchalantly. Larissa gasped, her mouth set in a firm line. At last she seemed to regain some of her composure.

"You, I…. you just wait! I'll make your life a living hell for this!" with that she stormed out.

"I look forward to it." Mariah mumbled and took another bite.

At the end of the school day Kai and the rest of the gang decided to take a walk down near the pond that graced the back of Cross. It was surrounded by forest on the north side. The fall leaves were already sprinkling the surface of the water. Dark depths of blue and green reflected the sunny sky. It was Friday afternoon. The time when everything and nothing was possible. The guys were talking around the edge of the pond. The original plan had been for it to be a nice retreat from the student population, which was pretty stupid. The back of Cross was littered with students all pumped up for the weekend. Thankfully no one bothered them. Max tossed a rock onto the surface of the water; three skips. So far his record was seven.

"You've been awfully quiet Max." Brooklyn stated. "Got a lot on your mind?" Max shrugged. Brooklyn lay lazily against the trunk of a tree nearby.

"Everyone's bound to have lots on their minds after that incident at lunch." Tyson laughed.

"Yeah, how about that. I didn't know Mariah had it in her." Ray marveled. Kai raised an eyebrow at him.

"Oh didn't you Ray?" he said. Ray remained silent. "Well, in any case, it's about time someone put Larissa in her place. She's always bossing people around." everyone murmured their agreement.

"Don't you think it's about time you tell Mariah how much you admire her Ray?" Tyson asked.

"Huh? What? "

"Oh, don't play dumb Ray, we all know you have the hots for her." Tyson said, rolling his eyes.

"So, maybe I do. Why do we always have to talk about my love life. Why not pick on someone else for a change?" Tyson mulled this over for a moment then opened his mouth to speak but Kai cut him off.

'Don't even think about it Tyson, I believe I've endured enough for today." everyone laughed except Tyson who closed his mouth.

"What about your love life Tyson?" It was the first thing Max had said since they got there. He'd just gotten eight skips. The others began to catch on, and soon were all bothering him with questions.

"I don't like anyone ok?" he persisted. "Besides, there really aren't that many interesting girls at our school anyway." he shrugged.

"But there are some." Brooklyn said, and although he didn't say it like a question they all waited for Tyson's response.

"Well… yah, there are some."

"So which one is it that you've got your eyes set on?" Max asked. Tyson sighed,

"What does it matter?" he asked. Max shrugged pushing his hands into his pockets,

"It doesn't really. I just have a feeling that whoever it is they're coming this way." Tyson frowned as everyone turned to look in the direction Max gestured in. Mariah, Hillary and Salima were exiting the school doors and walking over to the water's edge laughing and talking. The guys exchanged glances then looked back to Tyson.

"What?" he asked in an annoyed tone.

'Well…. Who is it?" Kai said.

"It doesn't matter." Tyson mumbled.

"Whatever" Kai shrugged.

"Oh man Mari, Larissa is gonna want your head!" Salima said, laughing.

"I know eh? Aahh well, you can't win them all." They all burst out into laughter as they approached the pond, and, the group of guys. Hillary purposefully side-stepped them and sat down a little ways away where the other two followed.

"But I mean, can you believe her?" Hillary said, throwing a rock at into the water.

"She honestly thought that you would just… do her work for her!" Salima said, outraged. "Personally I think she got what she deserved."

"Come on now guys, don't be so hard on her, she cant help being…. What, she is." once again they began laughing.

"Why don't you just go over there Ray?" Max said matter-of-factly.

"I… I donno."

"Might as well, what have you got to loose?"

"Hmmm… my dignity?" Max made a dismissive gesture.

"Who cares, just do it." Ray looked him straight in the eye then nodded. He gulped loudly and made his way over. The rest of the guys watched.

"We're so mean." Salima said when the laughter had subsided. Just then she spotted Ray walking over and nudged Hilary.

"Maybe just a little." Mariah confided, but when she noticed the others looking behind her she turned just in time to see Ray stop behind her. She blinked a few times.

"Hey" he said.

"Hey" she replied looking up at him.

"Hey Salima, wasn't there something you had to ask Brooklyn, about the science test?" Hillary prompted.

"What?… what science oh!… riiiiiight! The science test! Yes, lets go over there and ask him that, and not be here." And with that obvious note the two set off towards the other group.

Mariah laughed for a moment at their antics.

"Is there something you wanted to say Ray?" she asked.

"Oh, well, yeah." He said. "Can I sit?"

"Be my guest." He smiled and sat down next to her.

"Well, I wanted to tell you that what you did at lunch, to Larissa, it was really brave, and well deserved."

"Thanks Ray." there were a few moments silence until Ray suddenly said.

"Look, I know you said earlier that I would never understand you, but… at least give me a chance." he said looking her in the eye.

"And how would I….."

"Let me take you to the dance." she laughed causing a worried expression to spread across his face.

"Alright Ray… you may take me to the dance."

"Sweet. I mean, thank you." he said, smiling.

"But remember, if it doesn't work out, you won't bother me about it again right?"

"……. Right."

Later on that night the three girls sat in their room discussing the days events. They were all in their pajamas sitting in their beds, junk food splayed over their beds. All of a sudden there was a knock at the door. Mariah went to open it. There stood a young girl just her age. She had long electric blue hair that fell over her shoulders and down to her waist. Her mesmerizing greenish-blue eyes stared at Mariah as if looking at her soul. She wasn't wearing the school uniform, but instead a faded navy sweater, a green and blue plaid skirt, ripped fishnet tights, and worn bright blue converse high-tops. She was carrying a duffle bag in one hand.

"Ummm… How may I help you?" Mariah asked. The girl popped a bubble with her gum and said,

"Hi, I'm Mariam. The dean said that this was the only dorm room that still had space for one more person?"

"Yeah, that's true."

"Well, I'm going to be staying here then."

"Oh! Awesome, come in." Mariah said and led her inside and introduced her to the others.

"Hi"

"Nice to meet you." they said.

"So, you're new to Cross then Mariam?" Hillary asked,

"Yeah, I got kicked out of the last nine private schools, they said this was the only place left that would take me."

"You've been to nine different schools?" Salima said.

"Yeah." she shrugged sitting down on the bed across from Hillary's. Mariah took one look at her and knew in an instant that Cross would never be the same again.