NO TITLE YET (Suggestions VERY VERY WELCOME)

Chapter 1
No Goths
Allowed
My life had changed entirely when I went to my school for the first time. I was a girly beach girl from Long Island who’d suddenly moved to New York City. My dream had come true. Or so I had thought.
My first experience with the real NYC had been on my first day of 6th grade. I’d shown up in a neon yellow tank top, jean shorts, flip-flops, and my dirty blonde hair was tied back in a long ponytail. I was expecting a hall full of kids who looked and dressed like me. I expected peppy, upbeat kids, whose biggest goals this year were to get high honor roll and be on the student council. However my daydream had only been a dream. Instead I walked in to a hallway full of kids in either preppy clothes or apparel clearly bought from a Goodwill or Salvation Army. The poorer kids hated me for being so peppy and they called me spoiled. The snobby, rich, preppy kids sneered at me. They laughed at my pathetic beach clothes because they wore designer clothing. I was thoroughly depressed.
By the second week of school I locked my bedroom door and refused to come out. My mom, who was a kind, warm, and inviting mom who could still be a Corporate Cathy businesswoman, begged and pleaded for me to come out. This only made the tears I had been holding back pour out. I lay under my covers for 2 weeks. Of course when mom went to work I would get up and steal some food and lots and lots of water bottles from the kitchen. I waited for mom to finally say that I could be home-schooled or transfer. Sadly no time for that came. One Sunday my door opened abruptly and it revealed my computer work based father holding a screwdriver. So I got up and went through my closet and found the perfect outfit for the following Monday.
So I walked into school in black fishnets, black combat boots, a black mini skirt with chains hanging on it, and a black t-shirt that said, Cupcake Cult and had a kitten dressed as Jason and his chainsaw was dripping pink frosting. I’d put red and black streaks in my hair so I completely stood out. The poor kids smiled at me now, while the snobs despised me even more. I felt happier than ever. Though none of the poorer kids were asking me to sit with them at lunch, they had a newfound respect for me. Ms. Burke, my homeroom, English, Reading, and Social Studies teacher and Mr. Goshen my Math, Science, and Health teacher gawked at me every morning when I walked into class. Apparently they were part of the snobby side. I still annoyed my Gym teacher, Mr. Orion who was not part of any side since I wore black combat boots to gym instead of sneakers. My Technology and Music teacher who were both spunky themselves enjoyed my company. But the one teacher that loved me the most was Miss Delano, my art teacher. She loved me because I was a great artist and I was good in her class. When people asked me what was my favorite class, I always seemed to say Art. When I was in 7th grade I met my best friend.
Anna Carter, a timid, weak-kneed, shy girl had been assigned as my partner for a big science fair project. We were assigned Plate Tectonics. I knew that Anna knew I was tough and not too smart. After all, I’d really dyed my hair black and dyed red streaks into it and now I wore black lipstick, nail polish, eye shadow, and eyeliner. Anna was a straight A+ student with light brown hair and gray-blue eyes. She wasn’t on any side so I was able to put up with her. She normally just wore jeans, a plain, any-color t-shirt, and sneakers. Anna had been nice to me so far that I was nice back and actually did some work. She and I had “bonding” moments and she eventually invited me over to her apartment so we could finish the project.
The Carter’s apartment was a small one-person place with a bedroom and guestroom, which had been transformed into Anna’s room. The living room, kitchen, and the short hallway the housed the bathroom and bedrooms had light, faded yellow wallpaper. Anna’s bedroom had a raised twin bed and maroon walls. We sat at the lightwood kitchen counter and glued paper on poster board while her mother cooked homemade Mac n’ Cheese and brownies. Ms. Carter liked me. She just thought I was creative and unique. She even gave me an extra brownie.
After winning 2nd place at the science fair, Anna sat with me everyday at lunch. We partnered up for ever project and assignment. We hung out regularly, whether it was at each other’s house or roaming the streets. Normally it was the streets. We’d shop at Macy’s, for Anna, and goth stores like Hot Topic for me. We’d casually hang out in Central Park all the time and eat street food until we were sick. I’d make her listen to Evanescence, Avril Lavinge, Adam Lambert, and Black Veil Brides while she mad me listen to Skrillex, Jessie J., and Nicki Minaj. It was fun hanging out, even if we were nothing alike. We were both outcasts, completely different from each other, but practically the same person. I remember my first day of high school. That one, dreaded day.
Even though Upper West Side Prep Middle was literally a 5 second walk from Upper West Side Prep High, I did not want to go. Mainly because I didn’t want to have new surroundings. I didn’t want teachers I didn’t know, classes that would be even harder, and twice the students to gawk at me. I’d begged mom to let me stay home that first day but she said flatly, NO. I guess she didn’t want a repeat of 6th grade. My 8-year-old brother Jack teased me at dinner the night before. “ Jade is a scaredy cat, JADE IS A SCAREDY CAT!!!” he taunted. I threatened my fist and kicked him under the table. Then I was immediately sent to my bedroom without dessert. Then I remember Anna in the morning trying to wake me up by hitting me.
I hissed at her like I was a vampire. “Get up Jade. COME ON. Don’t make me get the water bucket….” She laughed. I sat bolt up right and rushed to get dressed. I threw on a black lace tank top, a black mini skirt, fishnets, knee-high boots, and I put a black rose clip in my messy hair. I lined eyes with black eyeliner and covered my eyelids with black eye shadow. I applied my signature black lipstick on and headed out the door.
The 10th and 11th graders paid no attention to me since they had seen me before in middle school. However, the seniors had a fit. Some laughed, others stared. A couple people would stare at me then have a laughing fit and end up crying. I was ready to punch someone. And I did. Alfie Morin, a dork who didn’t have a side was talking about everything nerdy to Anna at lunch. Apparently they were friends. He wouldn’t shut up! So I glared at him, giving him a warning. Then my first collided with his delicate skin. His glasses fell to the ground and he clutched his face like the skin was going to peel off. You’d think Anna would be shocked. But no. She just shocked her head and told me, “Jade, can’t you go one day without hitting someone?” And I just laughed.
People stared at me all around. They now were afraid of me. And I couldn’t be any happier.