Forgetting my own rule, I click angry and pelt the phone across the room. It connects with the dingy wooden door then falls to the floor. I am almost afraid to look. But when I do the battery has fallen out and the screen is rocking a mosaic. I put the phone back together. It refuses to come on. I almost pelt it again then stop myself. What if it's something that can fix and I make the situation worse? I put it on the dresser next to Ruby, who seems to be going about her business undeterred. Could be she's starting to get used to my antics. I take a flake out of the bottle and stop. What am I doing feeding a fish on a Thursday night? Is this the fullness of my existence? I release the flake anyway then pop a few pills. When I wake again, it's Friday night and the place is silent. Not even Father Paul's cemetery can compete.
Most of the students usually leave by six every Friday. So it's just Tessa and me. Or maybe just me, unless I really did dream Tessa lock her door around eight. Either way, her shampoo still lingers in the air two hours later. So it's just the enticing scent of her shampoo and me. Dare I do it? Should I throw caution to the wind and exhale? I stroll back to my mirror for approval, wondering how the hell I got back into these unbearable denim clothes. And why is this makeup still on? I tear the clothes off my body and stand looking. Nothing has changed. I am still the same woman with punctured skin. Only my face is smooth and beautiful. I stare at it in anger. This isn't the real me. I tug on my face in a fierce attempt to scrub it off but it won't budge. So I dip in the bowl for some detergent and head to the bathroom.
YOU ARE READING
NINE TIME MACHINES: Do you want to undo your entire life on planet earth?
FantasíaThere is a war coming! In it, Lilith and the impostor God must battle for all human minds on earth. But one girl can stand in the gap for all humanity. However, to prove worthy for this feat, Mary must begin shadow work to take the mark upon herself...
