I'm a Walking Travesty (Adopted by Tony Perry)

Chapter 4

I go into class and hear one of my songs playing. I see a shocked look on Kyra's face as well. I see Kenny in the chat. "What song and band is this?" I respond back quickly. "Dark Hearts by Dire Chaos." I hear my teacher laugh. The song turns off. "Good morning guys! Now, as you guys may know, that song is very special to two kids in our class. Are you guys okay with me pointing you out?"

I nod and watch Kyra do the same. She spotlights our videos. "Rachel and Kyra are both in the band that wrote this song and album. If I remember correctly, you guys are all sophomores, right?" I turn on my mic. "Yep. Three of us from PHS and one from Rogers. I'm the lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Kyra is the lead guitarist, Reggie who some of y'all might know is our bassist, and Clay is our drummer."

She smiles. "Rachel, I've never heard you talk so confidently about anything." I smile. "Music is different. I can talk about music and it's like I'm talking to close friends. I guess music is just really calming and comforting to me." "We're going to do an interview in class today where you guys can interview our classes rockstars." I smile a little.

"Do you guys want to do it together or split into groups?" I text Kyra. "I don't care. It's up to you." She unmutes her mic. "Let's just stay together. I'm less likely to answer questions or know the complete answers." Mrs Coyer nods. "Are you guys ready?" I nod.

"Do I have permission to record?" "Yep." "Can I have permission on record that I am allowed to record?" "Yeah." "What's your name and how do you spell it?" "My name is Rachel Grilley." "My name is Kyra Khem-Goins." "Our band is Dire Chaos."

"Are you guys signed to a label?" "Not completely yet, but yesterday we were offered a recording deal with Fueled By Ramen as well as we were offered to go on tour with All Time Low in September next year." I see Kenny's eyes widen. "Did anything else happen yesterday?" I laugh a little. "I was told I needed knee surgery to repair the damage I have done to it. I got to talk to Alex Gaskarth, the lead singer of All Time Low, which was really fun. I ended up getting admitted to the hospital for who knows how long, and I was offered to feature in an All Time Low song."

I see Leah's camera turn off and I giggle a little. "Why were you admitted to the hospital for more than a day?" My expression dropped. "I would rather not answer that question. I don't want it getting publicized until I am completely ready." I see a text from Leah who is obviously fangirling.

"Alright, class is over so I will let you all go. If you aren't Rachel or Kyra, I need the copy ready quotes by Thursday to turn into a feature story. Rachel, can I talk to you after class?" I nod. Everyone else leaves and soon it is just me and her. "Is that a nasogastric tube?" I nod.

"What happened?" "I was admitted yesterday for knee surgery this morning and then looking at my weight, the weight loss in the past three months, and the fact I can't finish even an eighth of a regular meal, I was diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa. They are treating me but I'm stuck in the hospital until I go on tour in September or until I am better, whichever comes first."

She nods. "I'm here if you ever need someone to talk to." "Thanks." I leave the meeting. Kyra walks in to the room with Leah. "Why do you have another IV?" "Medicine for my knee that they didn't want to mix with the IV fluids for some unknown reason."

I see the doctor walk in with two needles in her hand and my eyes widen. I scoot closer to Kyra as if she is going to protect me. "Hi honey, I have to do a tetanus shot and a blood draw. I'm sorry about all the needles." I scoot closer to Kyra. Her and Leah have to leave the room.

I hide myself completely, besides my right arm, under the blanket. I feel the alcohol wipe and whimper a little. My breathing is really unsteady and so is my heart rate. I think I'm having a panic attack. The doctor hasn't noticed yet. I feel the needle and my arm shoots away. I pull out the nasogastric tube as well as both of my IV's.

The blanket is taken off of my head and I feel a sharp poke in the side of my neck. The world around me gets dark and then I pass out. I wake up in the room again but I can't move. I notice I'm in restraints. I whimper a little. There is a mouse connected to my computer. I get my computer on and go into health which is just starting.

"Alright guys, I have a quick poll. How many of you guys when we did the wellness presentations back in February did it on a disease or illness they have/had?" I click the yes. There aren't many kids in the class that clicked yes. In fact, there were only two of us.

The doctor comes back in. "I can undo the restraints if you promise not to pull anything out again. If you do, you'll be in the psychiatric ward and the restraints will be back as well as you will lose the guarantee that you'll be out by September."

I nod and she undoes the restraints before leaving. "Rachel, what did you do your presentation on?" I turn back on my camera. "Anorexia Nervosa." He gives me a sad look. I space out for most of the rest of class.

I go into Anatomy and Physiology. Thankfully, she lets us out within the first five minutes. I lay on the bed with tears in my eyes. I quickly take out the nasogastric tube and my IV's. I change and manage to get most of the way out of the hospital before I hear them say a description of me. Fuck.

I make a run for it and get out the door. It isn't long before I find myself on a bridge over the river. I just can't take it anymore. I see a Tweet from Kellin asking how everyone is. I reply. "Not that great. Thank you for your music and everything really. Your music got me through a rough time and I wish it would work forever."

I text Alex. "Thank you for everything. Please make sure my band stays alive without me to make it to the end of tour with you guys." I get a quick response from him as I am slitting my wrist and taking the random pills I found in a bag on the side of the street. "Please don't do whatever you are going to. Everyone will miss you."

I reply. "It's too late for that." I feel myself getting dizzy and I hear a car screech stopped. I feel myself lifted up and I end up back in the hospital. I pass out as I am placed on the bed.