The Acceptance Game

Chapter 5

Alexis climbed up the broken and mouldy wooden ladder, leading up to the school's rooftop. She was pretty agile but she would still get cuts on her arms from the sharp, protruding wood which were out of place. Alexis lifted herself up the last step and finally made it to the top. She plopped onto the ground, her hands supporting her weight as she leaned backwards. This was her own secret hideout. She had discovered the place while wandering around aimlessly one day.

The view was spectacular. It was even better in the evening when the city lights were on and she would try to locate her house from where she was. The orange-yellow sunlight casted itself onto Alexis' face and bid farewell for the day. She would stay for the night if she could.

Alexis sighed.

She was tired. Tired of hiding who she was. Tired of running away from her problems. Tired of living life worriedly. Tired of solitary. And tired of whatever was holding her back. A tear escaped her eye. Alexis sniffed and wiped it away. Crying was a thing of the past for Alexis. She had cried so much for so many things. All she wanted to do now was to toughen up, stay strong and lead a normal life like anybody else. She would go crazy if someone told her she was not normal.

Alexis sighed again. She pulled herself together and was ready to leave when she heard a creak from behind. Alarmed, she dashed towards the source but she only saw a dark silhouette running away as fast as possible. Oh no.

<<>>

It was six o'clock. Dinner was in an hour's time.

Alexis' mother was in the kitchen, busy washing the vegetables which were meant for later. Alexis hopped in, grabbed a fry from the plate on the counter and popped it into her mouth. 

"Darling, how's school?" Alexi's mother asked. "And do you still talk to Nico?"

"Great. I feel at home there haha and yeah, of course I do, we're still friends, duh!" Lies. Lies. Lies.

"I'm glad to hear. You know your father and I always worry you won't get along with your classmates. Thankfully you're coping fine. Oh and if you feel weird anywhere, just inform your teacher, okay? We never know what might happen. Was the name Amanda? She'll know to send you home."

Alexis' smile disappeared. She did not like talking about her condition or "what might happen". She was a normal person who did not have any problems. Her mother sensed her discomfort almost immediately and she quickly changed the subject.

"By the way, your father and I are visiting Brighton this holiday for his business meetings there. We'll bring home souvenirs for you girls if you behave. I know you love Brighton, Alexis," her mom said, now stir frying the vegetables. "You can take care of Jacqueline, can't you?"

Alexis' face lit up again. Brighton?! She would love to visit Europe one day with her family but she knew this wish would take very long to come true. The doctor had told her parents that it was better for her, and her everyone, that she stayed home instead of constantly traveling, which was what she used to do before.

"Her condition would only deteriorate and there aren't many doctors specializing in her illness around the world" was what the doctor had said.

Alexis never understood why the doctor would destroy her dreams of traveling just like that, with that mere two sentences of his. And she wasn't ill. Why the hell was she treated like a patient who was about to die. She hated the idea of eating her prescribed medicines. She hated going for the stupid check ups. She hated having to answer the same question asking if she was feeling normal millions of times. She hated to be viewed as weak under the judgeful eyes of people. She hated a lot of things.

"Jacqueline would be fine," she replied her mother, a minute late. "And mom, can I visit Brighton some day? With you and dad and Jaque?"

Her mother looked up at her worriedly. That look on her face again. It was deliberate. It was to tell Alexis indirectly that she was making her mom feel troubled.

"Some day, dar-"

"Forget it."