Obsessive, Compulsive.

Eleven.

I looked down at my black-painted nails and smiled softly. Antonia had done my makeup too, expertly preening me and brushing my hair. It was odd, I felt alright-looking for once.

Antonia and Eve were waiting with most of the other inpatients by the front doors of the reception for their parents to arrive. They were all so excited to see their family. I hoped my family knew that I was not going to see them. If they wanted to give me away, they should consider me gone.

My room was cold and bare as I sat on the bed, isolated. The door stood firmly shut on the outside world, with even my curtains angrily closed. Everything seemed slightly violent.

It wasn't long before I could hear happy voices and laughter. Something deep inside me was happy to hear the usually quiet and solemn building light up with a spark of joy. Footsteps began to creak up the stairs towards various bedrooms, and talk of 'I want to show you this!' and 'Have you brought me any chocolate?' started to invade my silence. I hugged my knees to my chest, waiting patiently.

No one was outside my door yet.

Where were they...? Not that I was waiting. I didn't want to see them, but... I thought they'd at least try and visit. Had they really just completely left me?

There was a knock at my door, and my heart started beating faster. Something inside me felt quite relieved. "I'm not letting you in." I warned.

"I know. You're not allowed to, boys aren't allowed in girls rooms." Robbie's muffled voice said from outside.

My heart dropped. It wasn't my family. Where were they? I sniffed, not knowing whether or not to feel happy, angry or upset. Maybe I just needed someone to talk to? Standing up, I made my way to the blue of the door and opened it.

Robbie stood there, his hair a mess and his eyes tired. He looked slightly bewildered. "What's wrong?"

I reached out and grabbed his sleeve, pulling him in and closing my door. "But boys aren't allowed in girls..." he trailed off as my lip started trembling.

Trying not to burst into tears, I turned round and sat on my bed. "Keep me company." My voice was quiet and shaken.

"Yeah, yeah, okay." He paused. "Did no one come to see you, either?"

I shook my head.

"It's alright." He promised. "There's still time... You look nice."

"Huh?" I looked up.

"You've put stuff on your face... Makeup. It looks nice. Not that you look bad without it, you don't. You look nice all the time, but... You look nice now, too." He squirmed, his cheeks flushing.

"Thanks." I shrugged, frankly too numb to feel anything other than irritation. "What are you doing out of the acute ward?"

"They're letting me roam around during visiting hours. It's because they feel sorry for me that I haven't got anyone that visits me." He shrugged. "But I guess I'm the one doing the visiting, aren't I?"

"I suppose." I kicked my feet apathetically off of one another.

Robbie went quiet, not knowing what to say. He watched my sadness intently for a moment, before turning to the door. "Stay here." He instructed. "I'm going to get the staff to check if your parents are stuck in traffic."

"No!" I begged. "Don't, I don't want them here. I'm glad they didn't turn up."

"That isn't true, Bean, and you know it." He raised an eyebrow.

"Bean..." I sighed, remembering what he had called me the night before.

"Do you not like the nickname?" He asked. I wasn't sure, so I didn't answer. Robbie stiffened up. "I'm going to go and ask them where your parents are, for my own concern. I'm worried, you know, for their safety."

Realising that there wasn't much else I could say to stop him, I shrugged and stared at the floor as a hint for him to go on. He coughed quietly and left the room to let the door slam behind him.

Slowly, I took a deep breath in and lay back on the bed. The ceiling was speckled so I sat there counting the dots for something to do, stopping at four and starting again at one each time.

Robbie's voice was muffled outside. He spoke quietly. His footsteps were not alone. Tensing, I sat up. They were here. There was a gentle knock on the door.

"Hi, Bell." Alice's voice said softly from the other side of the door.

I felt sick to my stomach.

"Can I come in?" She asked.

Tears welled in my eyes and I bit my tongue fiercely. The door opened and Alice stood there. She noticed my tears and turned to Robbie. As she walked in, Robbie stayed by the door.

"They're just running late." Alice sat on the bed next to me. "They send their apologies. They'll be here in about fifteen minutes."

I sniffed, looking at my shoes.

"She looks nice, doesn't she?" Robbie said from the door.

"Lovely." Alice beamed at me. After seeing my lack of reaction, she gestured at Robbie to come in the room.

"But boys aren't allowed in girls rooms." Robbie insisted.

"Who cares?" Alice twinkled her eyes. "Get here."

Robbie walked in, closing the door delicately behind him. They both looked at each other in a sad silence and then both turned again to me. Sniffing, Robbie looked out of the window. "Please don't be sad Bella Bean."

"What's the point in smiling?" I mumbled. There was a moment of silence and I could hear an engine outside.

"What car do your parents have?" Robbie asked, looking out of the window.

"It's red." My voice was quiet.

Alice followed Robbie's eyes and grinned. "That's them."

"What?" I sat up and watched the car turn into a parking space. "Crap!"

"Do you want us to leave?" Robbie asked. "Or do you need us here?"

Alice put her hand on Robbie's shoulder. "We should go. Bella can handle this."

"Do you think I should see them?" I paused. "Should I?"

Robbie nodded and Alice smiled. "Kai has some news for you that you'll be really excited to hear. He told me on the phone, and I think it's worth you hearing." Alice held the door open behind her. "Seriously, hear them out. They're family."

I nodded, agreeing with Alice's expertise. "What's the news?"

She winked and closed the door, leaving me alone to quietly brush my fingers through my hair and take a deep breath before seeing them for the first time since they betrayed me.