• The moon is beautiful. It's silvery light brightens the night sky so perfectly. I've seen it many times before. Many more than anyone would think. I'm very good at hiding this fact. It's my secret. My secret is a secret that leads to many more. Oh so many more. One would believe that I am just another person, trying to survive this hell, just like everyone else. True, high school sucks. True, I am a geek. But, I am very smart, I have friends and no one bullies me anymore. Everyone gets bullied when they are in elementary school, yeah, but it seemed the kids bugged me more. Now, it just seems like it was nothing. Back to the moon. The moon is one of my favorite things in this existence. It's always there. Lighting the way. Through what? That's the question I can never answer.

    Insomnia. That is what I am plagued with. For months now, seems like forever. On average, I only get thirty minutes to three hours of sleep, if I'm lucky. I usually stay up fantasizing. Not about sexual stuff (ew),but about things that could happen, what my friends and I may do the next day at school. That kind of stuff. I also read, or just I stare at the ceiling, listening to music. Usually video game themes, classical music, or one of the random bands I happen to like. I guess not sleeping runs in my family whenever something is bothering us. I remember when my dad slept in the living room. I don't know why, but he was worried about something, probably work related, and he would watch a muted television until he drifted off for an hour. Same with my grandmother, she's a night owl most of the time anyway. My parents have no clue how long my sleeplessness has been going on. I put a blanket over the crack under my door so no light will sneak through. I like my room to be completely dark when I try to sleep, so I won't see shadows. With the blanket there, they won't know that I haven't had a good night's sleep in two months. They may be suspecting it though because it's showing on my face. Dark circles under my eyes, very easy to see.

    Sometimes, at night, I open my curtains so I can sneak glances at the moon will I turn a page. It's so comforting. I truly love it. My friend Alice and I sat out on the front yard and stargazed until the wee hours of the morning. We were having a sleepover. She was telling me about this boy she likes. Todd. The whole while I was thinking that she wouldn't have a problem with getting him. She's platinum blond, has blue eyes, pale,pale skin, and a smile that lights up any room. She's also a shrimp. Only five foot one. That's pretty short for a sixteen year old. Where we live anyway. That doesn't stop her from running around being crazy.
    Anyway, Todd is a goth kid. That would put off most girls who dress preppy, but not Alice! A few of our friends think she is making a big mistake, but I think Todd is a nice guy, he never gave me a reason to not like him, and he seems nice enough. I'm a pretty good judge of people, whether they are good or bad I mean. I've never been wrong, ask anyone who knows me well. Todd has black hair(dyed), wears baggy black cargo pants with chains on them, and black shirts with various designs on them. So much darkness. So funny! Once you actually talk to him, you'll think,”What the crap?? He's goth??”
    Todd is kinda crazy! Here's one of our first real conversations:
    “Hey.”
    “Hi Todd.”
    “what class are we in?”
    “Huh?”
    “I forgot which class this was...”
    “Um, it's Art class.”
    “Oh, I just knew I had to come here for third period.”
    “Okay, so how are you today?”
    “Marshmallows. I feel like a marshmallow.” He shifted in his chair a little, looking around.
    “Why marshmallows? Are you hungry?”
    “Nope, I feel squishy and warm. Like a marshmallow!” Todd said kind of loudly with his eyes sparkling.
    “You look like a marshmallow with chocolate sauce then!”
    He looked at me thoughtfully, was he actually considering the possibility?
    “Yes, I suppose you're right. Aw damn! Now I'm hungry!”Todd leaned back in his chair, folding his arms and tucking a foot up on his chair. He sighed and looked to the front of the class.
    I got out my sketchbook and started doodling.
    Fridays in Art are free days.

    I decided that Todd and Alice would be a very good couple, even though on the outside, a goth and prep wouldn't date.