I feel like I'm going to starve to death if this goes on. At dinner, I still can't get any food down. How come I have to sit next to Chad? We're eating pasta.
"Laura, I know I've said this many times before, but this pasta really is delicious," Chad compliments.
Mom blushes as she scoops me a plate.
"Genuinely," Chad continues, "This pasta is as delicious as you are mesmerising."
I almost choke on the first bite of pasta. It's like he's forbidding me from eating. I must've choked really bad, since everyone looks at me when I force it all down with some water. Six eyes on me is already too many. Chad's intimidating glare should count as more than one pair.
When I make it to my room, I collapse onto bed, dirtying the sheets with tears. I don't get the chance to catch my breath before he makes it to my room as well.
"What was that?" he asks rudely.
"I-I'm sorry."
"You need to be reminded of who you are," he snarls. I'm Allison Par, "Reminded of your place."
I back up, almost tumbling off my bed, but he nabs my wrist and yanks me back upright. I don't thank him, I'm terrified of what's to come, I'm terrified of him. He raises his hand and at that moment the world seems to slow down. I brace for impact.
"Sweetheart, what's going on here?" Mom's voice sounds from the doorframe.
Her silhouette resembles that of an angel, but this devil can seduce even those.
"Don't worry, Allison almost fell off the bed, but I caught her before she could hurt herself," he assures her. Then he looks at me, "Right?" The single-worded question sends shivers down my spine.
Mom is so close to the truth. I just need to say one word.
"Y-Yeah..." I relent. She's so close. Why? He's too close.
Upon hearing that, she leaves, none the wiser.
"Good-"
"N-No, stop..." I interrupt him. I can't hear those words right now.
"Good girl," he repeats, "Keep your mom in the dark. Keep her happy. Don't slip up again."
With that, he leaves.
As the sky goes dark and the lights go out, I sit alone on my bed. For a lot of minutes, I sit in bed and listen to the soul-shatteringly familiar silence that permeates the house. I allow a few tears to drip onto my blanket, and then a few more, and then I'm sobbing.
I don't want this life.
I'm not Allison Par...
YOU ARE READING
The Swap
Teen Fiction"Where am I? This isn't my room. Wait, this isn't my voice, either! This isn't my body!" Allison Par is a timid girl. She just moved to a new town and her mom started dating a new man. Allison just wants him gone, but she's too terrified to speak up...
