"𝐭𝐨𝐦, 𝐢 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮."

Weak.

(Back to Chloe's POV)

These days my body was aching and weak. Alina and her friends continued to beat me up sometimes, even though I wasn't even talking to Tom. Everyday at school, I would fear their presence. Worst of all, were classmates. I wanted to stop going to school, but my mom and dad would notice. I really wanted to, but I can't. I can't really go out somewhere else rather than school, because then the principal would call my mom, asking about me.

Alina would stare at me throughout class, her eyes would pierce through my head. I felt fear. I wasn't safe to go to school now. I might aswell figured to cut contact with Tom. But...how?

I ate less and less. Didn't even check my weight these days, but I know I lose weight slowly. My mental health was going rapidly down. Since my mom hid all of the blades, figured id burn myself. Even though not eating was enough self harm to do.

She didn't hide the lighters. I know one stood on the coffee table, near her cigarettes she smoked sometimes.

So, of course, you know what I had to do.

19:20 PM, 28.1.2009

I was in my bed, not moving one bit. I stopped crying these days, ran out of tears probably. I just felt...numb, weak, rarely any emotion. God, i've never been like this before. I never want to tell anyone about this, because I know I would be done.

I had several small bruises around my collarbone and my left joint was, even without bruises or any scars, hurting which caused me to limp around.

Thankfully it was the time of the year for turtleneck shirts.

I wish I never came back here, honestly. I was better off alone with a few friends back in America. How I was so excited in the beginning, now I regret it all.

I got up slowly from my bed, going over to my door and pulling the doorknob gently. I went downstairs and to the kitchen. As I was looking through the fridge for something small to eat, at the corner of my eye I noticed the small lighter.

I quickly forgot about food, silencing the stomach rumbling as I stared at the lighter. It was a hot pink-colour with flowers on it. It also had "Ed-Hardy" written on it.

Quickly putting my thoughts aside, I grabbed it quickly and stuffed it in my hoodie. At the moment my mom was at the grocery store, while my dad was sleeping on the couch.

I went upstairs to my room and sat on the floor, my back laying against the wall near the door. I looked at the lighter for a couple of seconds, feeling my heart ache. I never burned myself.

I let out a sob without tears as the small fire flew out of the lighter. I pull up my sleeve, revealing my weak arm with scars. I haven't self-harmed in 2-3 days.

Forgot about those butterflies completely.

As I bringed the light from the fire almost in touch with my skin, I heard my doorbell ring.

Who could it be now?

I quickly put the lighter away in my pocket and pulled my sleeve down, going downstairs slowly.

I made it to the door, causing me to open it slowly. My legs were barely keeping me up. On the porch stood Tom, with a..small decorated box. Hm?

"Uh, hey?" I mumble, rubbing my eye.

"Hey, Chloe. Um, my mom, uh..." He stuttered.

I look down at the box.

"Your mom..what?" I mumble, looking up at him.