The Oxymoron's Cliche

Chapter One

All rights are reserved, just so you know, I'm just not gonna write a big thing about it, just a quick author's note.

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Noah's day started out completely normal. His alarm clock blared at seven thirty in the morning, and he rolled out of bed to look for the green blazer and khaki pants he wore to school every day. Rushing downstairs, he looked down the hall for the tall silhouette of his mother. Her shadow spotted, he crept to the kitchen, careful not to wake his younger siblings.

"Honey, you know you can walk normally," his mother laughed. Her son always tried to stay as quiet as possible, and she never knew why. Still, she whispered to him that he needed to be home by seven to watch his little brother and sister, brushing a couple pieces of auburn hair from her face. That morning she studied her son, taking in his heavily lashed brown eyes, the slight red tinge to his otherwise black hair, even the slight gleam from his flat nose.

"Mom, are you in writing mode again?" Noah whispered to his mother, who notoriously writes novels on social injustice. Noah always admired that she noticed what was wrong in the world and decided to say something about it. The thought of injustice brought Noah to school, where kids would push him around, make snide comments about being his ethnicity. His favorite one was when people asked if he was a dumb jock or a smart Asian. Then someone would reply both. Just what he needed everyday. Before he could ruin his breakfast any more, he grabbed a slice of toast with bacon, kissed his mom on the cheek, and ran out the door.

On the other side of town was a much different story. Madison woke up feeling queasy. Maybe she could convince her mom that she should stay home. Maybe James could let it slide that she looked as healthy as a ripe apple. Most likely not. Still, she could try.

"Mom," Madison called down the stairs.

"Yah Ara-Madison?" Though her mother didn't think she heard the slew of muttered curses that came after her reply, they were as clear as the sun outside. With that in mind, Madison decided she couldn't ask to stay home. It was too early for her to be sick. Her mom could barely remember her new name.

"Just wanted to know if James was here yet." Of course James was there. The FBI would never let someone who's often late onto the assignment that is Madison's life. Like a loyal dog, James came up the stairs to show her that he was on time to drive her to the school she was attending. Again, a feeling like being kicked in the stomach crawled onto her, latching in the form of a leech. This school is supposed to be a very good private school, with security at every door and a fancy uniform to go along.

"Madison, are you feeling all right? You look a bit pale." The low baritone rang through the house, the only one around. Madison looked into her "mom's boyfriend's" eyes and just nodded, wishing she could be back in New York, before her life fell apart.

With all the finality she could muster, Madison walked forward. "Let's go. I can't be late." And then she left the safety of an artificial house, with artificial people, with artificial names.

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"Remember, if anyone asks where you moved from, say a small town that-"

"They never heard of. I know the drill." Madison rolled her eyes, anxious to get out of the car. She knew that if she stayed in too long, it would start to draw attention, and the last thing she needed was attention. Too much of the drug and you'll go insane, she thought to herself. James nodded that she could leave, and without a second glance, she raced out of the car.

Noah was in class by the time Madison got there. Minutes before, he had been asked if his dad preferred his bastards or his wedlock children. In return they got a middle finger and a threat from him and his best friend. Jason, the captain of the varsity soccer team, had had his back since the very first day of school. A couple of kids had made fun of him for being shorter than them. Jason, who was a bit bigger than other kids at the time, told them to be quiet or he'd punch them in the mouth. From that day on, they were best friends.