I step down off of the bus. I start trudging toward the front door. A million thoughts running through my head. I turn my head and check the driveway for mom's vehicle. Not there. She must still be at work. Good.

After I'm inside I have a five minute staredown with the kitchen. I think to myself, Empty is power. Empty is greatness. This helps me to continue my walk through the house and up the stairs.

Once I get to my room I throw my slouch bag with the Oasis logo on it that I use for school on my bed. I walk to my full length mirror and take a long look. No matter how many times I look, I'm never satisfied.

I strip down to my bra and underwear. Other people would see the bones jutting out of my body, but I only see fat. The pouch on my stomach, the fat on the backs of my thighs, the stretch marks. I hate it. I hate every inch of my body. I slowly run my fingers along each and every one of the cuts and scars on my thighs. I'm beginning to run out of room. Both of my thighs are covered from hip to knee.

I walk into the little bathroom that's off of my room. It's quite small. A dinky little shower stall, a sink with another dreadful mirror above it, and a toilet tucked in next to it.

I take out my matchbox that I have hidden behind my toilet. I gently slide it open. It has three blades in it, one from a pencil sharpener, the others from my shaving razor. I pick out the one from my sharpener. I carefully guide it across my flesh with mindful strokes. Rather than my thighs, this time I chose my wrist.

I hear my phone buzz. Not now, I think to myself. I finish off my masterpiece with one last glide across the nine other fresh ones I made. I then quickly check my phone and see that it's a message from Arlo.

Arlo: Hey, you doing any better? I'm worried.

I decide not to reply and start my shower instead. I take off the last of my clothes and step in. The warm water feels wonderful against my cold skin. That is, until it reaches the fresh cuts on my arm. I get used to the feeling as I always do and lather up. I soon rinse off and step out onto the cold tile floor. I wrap my body in a towel and head back to my bedroom.

I get to my dresser and grab a baggy t-shirt, sweatpants, and some undergarments. I toss my towel into my hamper and see that it's overflowing. I quickly dress and decide to start some laundry. I throw my hair up into a messy bun without brushing it, grab a sweatshirt, and head down the stairs to the laundry room.

As I'm sorting clothes I hear the front door open and close. It must be mom. I finish sorting everything and start the first load before I go to the kitchen to see what she's up to.

"Hey, mom," I say to start conversation.

"Hi, honey," she replies, "I'll be going to a company dinner tonight. I left some spaghetti in the fridge for you to warm up. I'll be back late."

She then scurries out the door and into her car. While I'm waiting on laundry I head back upstairs to my room.

I grab my phone from my bed and realize that I have three new messages and two missed calls along with a voicemail. All from Arlo.

Arlo: Gwennie? You there?

Arlo: Please just let me know that you're all right.

Arlo: GWENDOLYN RENAE ANSWER ME PLEASE.

With that I decide to check my voicemail. I dial. Over the phone I hear:

"Gwennie, it's Arlo. I've been trying to get an answer from you for hours. I've decided that I'll be over in twenty minutes."

That was twenty minutes ago.

I hear a loud knock at the door and assume that it's Arlo. I open up the door and sure enough I see his wavy, sandy hair topped with a beanie. He frantically barges in and stares at me intensely with his twinkly blue eyes.

"What the hell have you been doing?!" he screams.

I back away from him suddenly feeling guilty for the marks on my wrist, "I got home and did homework. Then I was doing laundry," I reply, lying. At least half of it was true.

"Look, I'm sorry for showing up so suddenly, but I was so freaking worried."

"It's fine," I say, backing away more.

He grabs my wrist before I can dash away, and a sharp pain shoots up my arm.

"Gwennie, please don't walk away," he pleads.

He must see my face contort in pain. They must have opened because he suddenly pulled his hand away, covered in blood.

"Gwennie, love, what have you done?" he gives me big eyes.

"I-I...."

Author's Note ~

Haha! Cliffhanger, I know. C: I plan on posting the next part either tonight or tomorrow. Tomorrow is my last day of school before Christmas break! I'm super excited! Anyway, I hope that you're enjoying the story. Love you, cuties! Until next time, lovelies. ^-^