Chloe watched the hands of the clock as they moved. They seemed to be going slower the more she watched them. She wished Algebra never existed.
Chloe decided to try a few problems on the worksheet that sat blank on her desk. It was nearly impossible for her to do math when the numbers spun around and turned themselves. Chloe has a rare disorder called synesthesia where colors popped out of nowhere and numbers danced around in front of her eyes. It also didn’t help having dyslexia.
Ms. Stein, Chloe’s mother, had dealt with drugs during her pregnancy, causing her daughter to have all sorts of disorders. Chloe’s brain just wouldn’t work how she wanted it to. Kids would call her stupid, just because she couldn’t read or solve math problems as quickly as everyone else.
But that didn’t bother her. What bothered Chloe was the empty feeling inside. Some days she could feel the large hole inside her heart. Those were the days she cried herself to sleep, and sometimes even slit her tiny wrists. Other days, she just felt alone. She sat and stared blankly at a wall or just went to sleep.
One time in seventh grade, Chloe was called down to the counselor. Mrs. Stevens, her counselor, sat at her desk. She shot Chloe a look of despair and sort of nodded her head towards a tall, dark man.
“Are you Chloe Johnson?” the man asked
“Y-yes” Chloe stuttered.
“I’m afraid I have to take you downtown. First we’ll stop at your home and grab a few of your belongings. Only grab what is necessary, please. You won’t be seeing your family for awhile.”
Chloe was very confused, but she didn’t argue. When they got to her house, her mother was sobbing and carrying on, saying things like “Chloe! Oh my dear Chloe! Don’t take her away! It’s not her fault Sam is dead!”
Chloe screamed and ran upstairs to her older sister’s bedroom. There was Samantha, hanging lifeless on her closet door. Chloe found a letter on the bed. It read:
Chloe, I’m sorry I had to leave you like this. I just couldn’t handle the pressure of school and bullying. Mom never really loved me, and she doesn’t love you either. But I love you. I always will. Even if this rope takes my last breath, I’ll still love you when I’m dead. Stay strong for me, Kitty. I love you so much.
-Sammy
Chloe dropped the letter. She screamed out in horror. The tall man scooped her and her small suitcase up and ran downstairs and out of the house.
That was when Chloe broke. She didn’t talk for weeks. She knew her new foster parents found out about her cuts. So she stopped slitting her wrists, but began to cut her shoulders. The anxiety was so strong that she couldn’t be stopped.
Once Chloe was healed, she returned a year older to her now incoherent mother.
Now Chloe is better. She’s a new person and she is in high school. But everyone has their secrets.
“Alright class. Finish this worksheet for homework. Have a great day.” Mr. O’Brian said.
When it was time for lunch, Chloe met Evan in the main hallway.
“Hey babe, how was algebra?” he asked sarcastically.
“Oh, so I’m babe now?” Chloe chuckled.
They both laughed and then walked to the cafeteria. The lunch line looked long and neither of them felt very hungry, so they just sat down.
“Oh look, the cheerleaders.” Chloe said.
“Why do they always have to sit together? Don’t they have other friends?” Evan asked
“Well, they did have other friends. Remember when Libby and I were close? Once she put on that little cheer uniform, she wanted nothing to do with me. It’s like making a deal with the devil: friends or fame? She obviously chose fame. And now she has it all- popularity, friends, and she even gets some on the side from the whole football team! Must feel great.” Chloe sighed.
Evan just chuckled.
“Well, all Libby has is cheerleading. I think you are way more beautiful than any of those cheerleaders.”
Chloe blushed. She knew Evan was just trying to make her feel better. That’s what best friends were for, right?
“Thanks, Ev. But you know those walking Barbie dolls are perfect. Most girls would die to be them.”
Evan grabbed Chloe’s hand and gazed into her eyes.
“Yes, and any guy would die to be with you.”
Chloe was shocked. “Does Evan like me or something? We’ve been best friends since third grade. This can’t be possible.” Chloe thought.
“Are you most guys?” Chloe asked sort of sarcastically.
“Indeed I am.” Evan chuckled.
Chloe blushed again. She never felt like anyone special except when she was with Evan. She was starting to like him too. But what if they did start dating? Would that ruin their friendship?
Chloe would just have to wait and see.
