Chapter One
Lyric, Jade, and Maxx- Society’s most wanted. They were the Outcasts; They were the ones who didn’t fit in or belong in this country. Society had no approval for these unique people, but they couldn’t arrest people for being different. So why were these three currently the targets on wanted posters? They all had remarkable skill sets that they used for illegal things. They didn’t hide their differences to avoid ridicule like most people did. This was a large threat to Society’s government- The Media. Lyric, Jade, and Maxx would bring the Media crashing down if given the chance.
So, Lyric Glass, well even her name wasn't accepted. The Media had out lawed music because they thought it communicated too much free expression. They also made the writing of lyrics a new crime, punishable by fine or even death. So when Lyric was born and given this rebellious name an uproar was caused in her village. It resulted in the arrest of her father and the shame of her relatives. Besides this, Lyric wasn’t your average, happy eighteen year old girl. She suffered with depression and turned to self-injury as a coping method. These things were not supported or sympathized with in Society. And now to make her depression worse, she was on wanted posters for something she loved. Writing. The one thing she was good at, or so she thought. She wrote lyrics, poems, stories, you name it. Yet they all had one thing in common. They were all in rebellion towards Society and The Media. Also, it was all posted on her best friend’s illegal music website. Her best friend was, you probably guessed, Jade.
Jade Plain was, to say the least, not plain. She had bright blue hair, “snakebite” piercings, and many tattoos. She managed to break many of the Media’s laws, but mainly the music law. “Music keeps me alive” she often told Lyric. She was anorexic after years of being called fat. Yet she was very intelligent and had already graduated college at this time. She was only nineteen. Her talent was singing and she made an illegal website to share her skills and those of other Outcasts. Here, on her site, is where they met Maxx.
Maxx Xavier was Society’s computer geek. He, like Jade, was very intelligent. He liked using big words and he always carried a book around with him. “Boredom is a danger” he always said when questioned about it. But the real danger (to The Media, anyway) was his knowledge of computers. The Media did not want their country as advanced in technology as Maxx was. He could bring them crashing down in merely a few minutes. But he didn’t even consider this, until he met two crazy girls.
“Hey! Hey you!” The blue haired one called over to him as he sat up against a tree in a quiet park. He quickly yanked out his headphones and shoved his laptop into his backpack. He hoped the illegal music website he had just been browsing had not caught the attention of these girls. They flounced over to him.
“Salutations! May I… umm.. assist you two?” he asked, suspiciously looking over their odd appearances. One was very skinny and her looked screamed “REBELLIOUS”. It wasn’t necessarily the hair or tattoos. It was the way she held herself. It was the way she blinked her crystal blue eyes that were surrounded by thick, dark eyeliner. It was simply her presence. Her friend wore all black; Long sleeves and tight skinny jeans despite the warm weather. She spoke to Maxx first.
“Actually, you can. I am Lyric, and this is Jade. And you… you’re Maxx. Or, better known to us as KillTheMedia1.” She stated calmly. Maxx stood up and harshly grabbed Lyric’s arm.
“Who are you and what do you want?” He firmly held onto her arm as he asked her. KillTheMedia1 was his username on the website he had just been on. Yeah, the illegal one. Lyric rolled her eyes and shook free of his grasp and walked away.
“Umm…. well, as she said I’m Jade. Best known to you as KillerTasteInIllegalMusic. Yes, I am quite aware of how stupid that sounds offline and I’m working on creating a new name.” She laughed.
“Wait, that means…you….you started the website?” Maxx stuttered.
“Yep, that’s moi.” Jade smiled. “And we would like you to join us.”
“Join you? Join you where?” Maxx’s voiced inquired, puzzled.
“Oh, you know… on the run. Considering the websites been found and is currently being tracked. Oh, and may I borrow that?” she blurted out nonchalantly, pointing at his backpack. “Do you have everything you need backed up elsewhere?”
“Yes, of course.” Maxx said, as if it were an insult to him. “But…” he began but was cut off by a sudden departure of Jade who was carrying his laptop. Maxx watched in horror; mouth agape, as Jade tossed his precious laptop into the river nearby. Once she returned she was greeted by a temper tantrum.
“WH…WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!” Maxx stomped about in anger and frustration.
“Like I said the website was, no is, being tracked. You should know things like that have to be destroyed in situations like this.” She then took off running to catch up with Lyric. Maxx followed, completely unaware if this was a trap. The three ran until Jade turned to see if Maxx was okay. He stopped running. He pulled out a water bottle from his backpack and said “Where are we going? At least tell me that.” He took a sip of his water, and waited expectantly.
“To my dwelling. Our dwelling.” Jade sighed and started running again. Lyric rolled her eyes playfully and smiled at Maxx. She motioned for him to follow. Eventually they arrived at a small apartment building. They entered the girl’s suite. It was comfortable yet messy. Small strings of Christmas lights lit up the small living room area. Maxx was taking everything in and didn’t snap back into reality until he heard a voice calling his name. “Maxx….Maxx! Are you hungry?” Lyric was asking.
“Oh, yes, actually. Thank you!” The two made their way into the kitchen. “You too, Jade!” Lyric called. Jade sighed and made her way in and sat down at the table. Lyric prepared three bowls of soup for them. Jade, in an attempt to not eat, spoke to Maxx.
“So, this is all new to you. Well, we’re constantly on the run from the Media and their military. And now you’re stuck with us. All because of my stupid website.” She sighed, and stirred her spoon around in her soup, but never actually eating some of it. “I’m really sorry. We figured..well…” She paused and began to sob. Maxx ran over to hug her. “This is all my fault!” She sobbed into his arms. “I should have never, ever made that website! I ruined your life.” Maxx was taken aback by this sudden change in this girl who had seemed so in control. He wasn’t sure what to do, but thankfully Lyric came to his rescue.
“Lyric, we talked about this! This isn’t your fault, Jade! Look at me!” Jade looked up, tears streaming down her face. “What?” she mumbled.
“Just remember that it isn’t your fault. Remember that, for me, please? Everything will be fine. Now smile for me.” Lyric pretend pouted until Jade gave a small giggle, and stood from the table.
“Eh.” Lyric stopped her and nodded at her untouched soup. “I’m sorry.” Lyric sighed as tears silently streaked her face. She looked horrified with the thought of eating that small bowl of soup. Maxx shortly came to understand what was happening. He wanted to help both of these girls for some reason. So he offered to take over for Lyric. “Let me take over, Lyr. Can you go rest?”
“Jade, is that okay for you?” She looked over, hopefully.
“Yes, I guess. It’s okay.” Jade sniffed. Lyric quickly made her exit and Maxx sat back down.
“Okay, I realize you want to put off eating so, tell me anything and everything about your life.”
“Well, when I was in school I constantly got bullied. I was “too fat” or “too emo” for everyone. The names they called me really hurt. This all started when I was twelve. Two years after that, my family left me on the street outside an orphanage. When I was sixteen, I graduated high school, and left the orphanage for college. I was hoping for a less judgmental place. My hopes were too high. Everything got worse. I stopped eating, since I didn’t live with anyone who could force me to eat. I lived alone. That allowed me to get some illegal piercings, and some legal, yet frowned upon, hair dye and tats. And then I met Lyr. She probably won’t tell you this but she’s depressed and that has made her feel like the only way to cope is by harming herself. Don’t tell her I told you, but yeah, I met her on the street. She was being beaten by some of the cruel Media guards. She had been singing. That’s when I knew I liked her. I ran over and interfered with her punishment. That’s when our flee from the law started. The website and writing came later. And…” Her voice grew unsteady and she started to sob. Maxx exhaled.
“Wow, that’s… a lot.” He shook his hands through his hair.
“Yes, it is.” Jade sniffed, wiping tears from her eyes. She stood and turned to leave when Maxx sighed and said “No. I’m sorry, but no. You have to eat.” Half an hour later, Jade had succeeded in eating half of her small bowl of soup. Maxx told her she could be done. She hastily got up from the table and made a dash to the bathroom.
“No.” Maxx got hold of her arm and turned her around. “No throwing up.” He led her back into the living room.
“Let’s wake Lyric and go do something, okay?” His voice was kind, not judging at all.
“Okay.” Jade nodded, running into her and Lyric’s bedroom. She jumped on Lyric’s bed and sang “Lyyyyyrrrricccccccccc!!! Oh Lyr! Maxxy, here, wants to take you on a date.” She winked at Maxx who blushed and stuttered, “No, well...No I…” Lyric giggled and said “Let’s go.”