It always seems to end the same way, doesn’t it? The ‘wallflower girl’ and the ‘popular boy’ fall in love, or the ‘mean girl’ and the ‘weird girl’ become best friends, leaving the entire school in shock. In real life, though, this isn’t so realistic. I mean, yes, it can happen, but it never really does. This isn’t the triumphant tale of six teenagers who are bold enough to step out of their comfort zone and befriend people of opposite personalities, somehow making it work and becoming a force to be reckoned with. Rather, this is the less spotlighted story of the ones who embrace the stereotype they’ve been assigned, the ones who, for whatever reason, are afraid of being something that nobody thinks they are, and the ones who, when forced to, are hesitant to even associate with people unlike themselves. And who knows, maybe along the way the ‘popular boy’ will fall in love with the ‘wallflower girl’, and maybe the same girl will suddenly find herself acquainted with the ‘mean girl.’ But then, maybe not. And maybe in the end things will come together perfectly, and everyone will realize that breaking out of a stereotype is always the right thing to do. But then, maybe not.

“But Alessandra, the thing is there must always be darkness in our lives. Without it, how would we ever see the stars, the very stars that we marvel at, that we navigate by, and without fail transport us to exactly where we need to be.” Alessandra Davenport has always believed that the lives of teenagers are worth much more than what the general public believes. She has seen them do amazing things, live, love, hurt, and get by, all in amazing fashion. She believes them to be stronger than they themselves know, wiser than any adult would ever give credit, and influential beyond belief. But this isn't her story, no not by far. All she did was write it down. Twelve unlikely heroes. Teens themselves, who have somehow managed to play the crazy game known as life. Ordinary people, difficult circumstances, and a thrilling show of human triumph.