*****

Andrew’s deep blue eyes poured out sorrow from the depths of his soul. His black hair swept across his face to hide the fresh bruises. Andrew was so scared of being beaten, that he only ever went to class every second day. The students hated him. Andrew filled all the criteria of a target:  high-achiever, foreign, gay, and the list goes on. Every teacher wanted to help him but knew that there was no way to protect such a child from prejudice. Andrew could try to change other people’s perception of him, but their minds were already made up. There was no way for him to ever fit in here, and in this culture. In Italy he couldn’t fit, yet he was still cared for and loved. In Australia, he knows nobody. Nobody loves him, and nobody understands his feelings towards the world. If anybody had insight into this ticking time bomb then they would have stayed away and left him alone.

*****

As days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months things start to change with Danny. He starts to question his true intention and true reasoning for acting the way he acts. He pondered what the real reason he was on this Earth was. He questioned why he was so adored when he didn’t even adore himself.
Andrew questions his entire existence. His pain, his anguish, his desolation, they had all contributed to his mind’s mass mess. Andrew had had enough.
Together they formulate a master plan.
Suicide.

*****

A group of male students walk into their dormitory to find a tragic sight.
A student hanging from his bed pole from his neck tie, wearing only a simple white cloth strung from his shoulder to his ankles. Leaving his arms, face and neck exposed, his skin already pale.
His arms, slashed beyond recognition.
A bloody trail sent you down to his wrists, where two white sealed envelopes lay.
On one side of the bed, a pair of loose blue jeans and a polo shirt. On the other side, a pair of tight black jeans, a pink shimmering glitter miniskirt, and a pink shirt.
The evidence of two lives.
Two lives that lead to a catastrophic end.

*****

Danny:

Dear everybody…

I will miss you and probably see you all in hell.
Yeah that’s right, I could never understand why you acted and looked so nice on the outside but when I saw your insides; you were just raging balls of fury.
Okay so you might ask why I did this.
Basically it’s because…
I put on your masks and became just another empty face, another hollowed out dream. This masquerade had gone on for too long and it started to deteriorate me.  I conformed and I became one of you guys… but I became empty, I have nothing. I don’t remember anything before I came to this school. All I have is my judgment and my knowledge. I’m sorry if I upset you, but it’s true. I’d rather be dead then be empty with you.

From, Danny.

*****

Andrew:

To whom ever reads this letter. I came from a land that’s filled with ignorance and no tolerance. I wanted to become what I truly knew I was, I was never allowed. When I tried to do what I really needed to do for myself I was shunned, I was bashed, and I was kicked down in the ground. I was hurt by my friends, my family and even people I didn’t even know.
When you people didn’t accept me I knew there was no hope. That’s why I made Danny. He was the true icon that you desired. An empty teenage boy who followed the latest trends and knew all the rules and how to break them.
I gave you what you wanted and I still couldn’t find happiness. I searched far and wide and truly tried to fit in and I was still branded with names. I don’t know what I can do for your acceptance. I’m gone forever and out of your lives.
Live out your non-fulfilling empty and hollow lives.
I want nothing of it.

From,

Andrew.

THE END.

Melike Latifoglu.