The Demons Among Us

In the Begining

I have a best friend that no one can see, her name is Cat. She is always there for me, especially when I'm broken and alone. Even when I'm fine she never leaves. Cat always whispers in my ear when I'm taking a test or trying to do work. She tugs on my sleeves when I'm watching a movie and she squeezes me at parties not letting me talk to anyone else. Some times it's terrifying how close Cat really is. You can find her in shadows and dark corners but her favorite place to hide is in mirrors. Because you see, Cat is really me.

When someone sees a jagged line running across my wrist they always ask,"How'd you get that?"

My response is always,"Cat."

They just nod assuming its my kitten at home that turns into a demon at night and attacks me, but it's really me who transforms into the demon.

My battles with self-harm began in the seventh grade. School was hard for me, not because the work was difficult but because I never fit in. I was awkward and introverted and lacked an important trait. This trait being beauty.

Beauty is a wicked thing. It changes people, it makes them envious and depressed if they don't have it, and makes them powerful and cocky if they do have it. And I was an acne faced, limp haired, brow less freak with the bust size of a toddler which shoved me into the first category. I used to watch the other girls with clear faces and perfect hair walk past me without giving me a glance. Always looking so perfect and well dressed. I yearned to be one of them but knew it would never happen. Even my friends were beautiful. Megan had perfectly tan skin and coco brown eyes framed by glasses that instead of making her look nerdy, made her look sophisticated. Edith had silk hair that looked black in the shade but shimmered a deep brown in the sunlight. She had a perfect body like an athlete and a smile that could light up a room. Joanna was blessed with smooth clear skin and a petite little frame which she carried with pride. Samantha had milky white skin and sharp cunning eyes while Maribel possessed beautiful big almond eyes and a full chest.

Last but not least was my best friend, that everyone could see, Lynn. I don't think she even knew but she was the fairest of them all. Everything about her was perfect, her golden hair, her color changing eyes that no matter what shade they were they always glistened, her smooth nose, her tan skin, I could go on and on but that'd be a little too creepy. The point is she was stunning, but she had no idea. She was so humble and sweet an innocent and it shocks me to this day why out of all people it was me she ended up to be best friends with. So in my tiny group, I pretty much stuck out like a sore thumb.

This group of mine never used to be tiny. We had several others, the most important to note was Sierra. Sierra was the child everyone dreamed of, she was athletic, smart, and pretty. She was also the most amazing liar you have ever heard. However I was the only one who knew that last part. Sierra knew she was pretty and definitely used it to her advantage, she would secretly seduce people into doing whatever she wanted and I didn't discover this until my 6th grade field trip to the Water park.

I sat on the bus next to her and we laughed and talked about crazy things. We were extremely close and got to the point where she would come over practically every weekend. In the seat in front of us sat my former best friend Carolina and Edith. Carolina turned around and joined in the conversation.

"I don't know how we are going to do this whole inter tube thingy," Sierra sighed.

"What do you mean? We'll rent one and carry it along with us," I answered plaintively.

"Sounds easy enough, me and Edith are going to do the same," Carolina agreed.

"See problem solved," I smiled.

"Now all we got to do is deal with that red mark on your shoulder," Sierra smiled devilishly.

"What red mark?" Suddenly she reached out and snapped my bathing suit strap as hard as she could and we all started howling with laughter. All except Edith who hadn't even said a word.