I won't try and ease my way into your hearts by dissing out all the crap I go through. But then maybe I should, could be good therapy or whatever.

But before we get to that lets do the most cliche thing always done in books, movies, television, franchises, and publishing history.

Introductions.

Might as well just give you a list of all the characters in the prologue of this tale.

My name is Ryder Dodge. But as some would have it most refer to me as Violet. Why? Because I prance around with a giant purple pendant around my neck like the Queen.

And I guess their are other names too. Weird. Boring. Lame. Nerd. Bad-girl. Jerk. Female dog. And Violent Violet.

Clever huh?

I got that name and reputation from a lot of things. Some consider me a freak. An out cast because I prefer doing the things others don't really do.

Some consider me a nerd and lame because I have good report card every time and pay attention to the material being given by our 'lovely' teachers.

And lastly some consider me a Bad-girl because I punched the new guy AKA gang-leader in the face last week.

In my own defense he deserves it. He is the epitome of an idiot. He goes around gloating about how he is a gangleader and how his father was too.

Then he talks about his family issues in History and about how he's a sneeze away from Juvie. And if that weren't ENOUGH he blatantly goes up to me and flirts and tells me I should get a better outfit.

He's like a character from one of those Twilight books. Cliche. And that is not a good thing.

He really came to the wrong town. I hear his gang named themselves the Outsiders, as if quoting such a brilliant book will give them a sense of intelligence and wisdom of some kind.

Wrong.

The only thing it did is make me one to punch him more. It's really a slap in the face every time I hear about all these idiots who think they can play around with these gangs.

How they grow up so fast that they actually believe they can leave a gang unscathed and then be justified for it because of there daddy issues.

They don't know a single thing about struggle yet have the moxy to preach and say 'The Struggle Is Real.'

That's sinful in itself.

Anyway, enough of that how about I get to the point.

I punched him for being an idiot. And I didn't even punch him that hard. He should know better than to flaunt his business to people.

Firstly, we live in Graycott. And the significance in the name itself is enough to know that bragging about being a Gang Leader is a stupid idea.

We are known for our gangs, rapes, crime, and other various dangerous offenses. But mostly is, you guessed it, GANGS.

And right now the gangs aren't getting along and newcomers will be eaten faster than you can say 'sorry'.

My punch was a helping hand. It represented a warning shot. Either get outta town quick or face the consequences of your actions.

But people don't seem to listen well.

As I walk through the halls of Firestone High I think more about the punch. I had most likely saved his skin if he'd listen to me when we were arguing.

I remember the fight very vividly. I was outside my locker getting a Calculus notebook I'd forgotten and was trying to hurry before the bell rung and I ended up late.

I remember Sasha, the girl who's locker was next to mine, talking to her mates about the gang activity and how her friend got shot just last night.

"It's getting out of hand now." Said Sasha's friend Danielle. She had eyes of fury and fire as she passionately spoke her mind.

It reminded me a bit of myself so much that I had to smile a bit. She still had her eyes glaring at the thought of the heated gang activity going on lately.

"My parents are going nuts! They refused to let me sleepover in fear of me getting hurt." Said another friend of there's. I didn't know her well, but I was pretty sure she's in my Science class.

She pulled her black hair up in a ponytail as she talked and looked in her friend's locker mirror to make sure it came out right.

"Look, that's not crazy. I'd do the same if I had a kid and this was happening. Don't be stupid, those gangs aren't playing anymore." Said Sasha.

Danielle nodded in agreement her blue eyes bobbing as she looked at her black haired friend.

"She's right Elena, it used to be you could go and get a gallon of milk." She said while tightening her purse over her shoulder.

"Now you can't do that without getting mugged. I say you should stay home and watch some TV or something until this blows over."

Elena, I know knew, was glaring at both the girls in anger. She scratched her curly hair making her wrist bands bounce up and down her arm.

She spits out her next words venomously. "What are you guys my parents now? C'mon guys we've lived around gangs our entire lives!" She screams while shutting her locker and getting a pencil.

"We don't have to worry every time some guy gets-" But before she could finish Danielle interrupts her.

"That 'guy' wasn't just some stranger! He was my boyfriend and your friend so don't just say this will be a good in the hood cause its not!" Danielle yells.

She now picks up her bag she had for a moment placed on the floor and she totes it with her as she stalks away down the hall, her crimson hair following her behind.

Sasha had remained silent during the course of the argument but now seemed to find her voice.

I had finally managed to locate my book but decided to stay as I watched curiously to the two girls.

The black girl looks the other girl in the eyes as she speaks.

"Elena, don't feel bad okay? She's just really sensitive about Mike okay?" Sasha says hoping to comfort her friend.

Elena had all the signs of a guilty person. Her black hair covered her pitifully sad eyes as she looks at the spot her friend just was with a hurt expression.

"I wasn't trying to say her boyfriend wasn't important. I-I just..." Elena trails off. Her eyes getting wet.

"I know Elena and I bet she knows too. Look, she was just upset and wants you to be safe okay?" Sasha says softly but Elena's face still held sadness.

"Remember how when she first said she had a crush on Mike we gave them the ship-name Dike?" Sasha says.

This gets a laugh outta Elena and a smile from Sasha.

"See, you always look better when you smile." Sasha said holding open her arms.

Elena just rolls her eyes and embraces her friend.

"She is still teed though Sass." Said Elena. Sass? I think but just shake it off forgetting it.

"You can apologize later, and maybe a three of us can go and visit Mike at the hospital!" Said Sasha.

I was smiling at the duo until it finally hit me in the head.

Mike got shot last night.

Mike's in the hospital.

Mike's girlfriend goes by Dani.

Why didn't I see it?

"Wait!" I yell out loud. The duo turn to me, having forgotten I was standing their, and stared with shocked looks.

"Yeah?" Says a confused Sasha.

"Did you just say Mike? As in Mike Vinz?" I ask worriedly.

Sasha looks at me startled.

"Yes, did you know him?" I ignore her question and instead provide one of my own.

"What hospital is he at?" I ask. Just as Elena is about to speak Sasha stops her.

"No, why do you want to know? Are you one of the gangs that shot him?" She questions and hearing this makes Elena gasp and stare at me.

"NO!" I yell offhandedly. They both sigh in relief but still give me wary looks.

I decide maybe truth is the only way to go but then think about it a bit more. Maybe I shouldn't tell them. They don't look like the type to snitch but one word and my covers blown.

I can't trust them but I didn't have to mention how I met Mike either.

"Then why do you want to know?" Asks Sasha.

She looks at me questionably. I would probably too in her position.

Here is some girl wearing all black except for a purple pendent bigger than the Queens wedding ring asking about her friends whereabouts.

I also was kinda well known too for being crazy in the head. I silently hoped she'd either ignore or not believe any of those rumors.

"I'm a close friend of his from a long time ago." I say truthfully. She examines me for a long minute. Her eyes searching for any signs of deceit or lie.

She seems to have been satisfied with her answer as she decides on what to do,

"Okay then, I'll tell you where," She says with a pleasant smile.

I release a sigh of relief and grin at her gratefully. But then she says something that makes my mouth drop.

"on the way there." She finishes off.

She plucks her keys from her yellow locker and shakes them enthusiastically.

"I'm driving." She says. I, not really having room for debate, just nod my head in agreement.

"Elena, you feeling up to playing hooky?" Sasha says with a happy smile.

"Sorry." Says a glum Elena. "But I'll have to decline, my paper's due today in English and I need to finish it during lunch." She says sorrowfully