The War Within Me {ON HOLD}

Curse You, Social Media

CHAPTER 3

"She didn't even write her name on it?" Lydia exclaims, looking down at Emma's homework page.

I sigh as I sit my tray down on the table right next to her, "Of course she didn't."

"And she wants to go to NYU?"

"To be a 'big famous actress!'" I mock Emma's high-pitched, obnoxious voice.

Lydia laughs, "Well even there, she's gotta have some brainpower."

I take the paper from her hands and move my tray over to set it down as Lydia digs into her burger. Emma's homework is due for the class right after lunch, so I have to get it done now. Which is great, as it provides me with an excuse not to eat. I'm too nauseous to try right now.

"Nova," Lydia scolds, "You should try an eat. Your fingers are all purple."

I shake my head, "I don't feel good."

She sighs, "If you're not going to eat the school food, then why don't you bring some from home? It really won't hurt to go to the store once."

I shake my head again, more angrily this time, "I can't. The money is being saved for my mother. If she needs food, I'll go to the store for her."

"Have you taken your meds?"

"I...may have forgotten."

"Nova!"

"But it was only last night! I swear! I'll take some Zofran when I get home, and I'll take my normal meds tonight. It'll be okay."

"When's your next appointment with Aimee?"

Aimee is my anorexia therapist. "Saturday. Last time she gave me some things to use for a healthy diet that should help. But...I didn't buy much. And I don't plan on buying anymore. That was way too much money."

"I'll buy you some!" Lydia offers excitedly. She loves to help.

"You know mum doesn't like you helping."

"I don't care."

I pause. I know that if there's any way for her to help, she will, and won't take no as an answer. "Fine."

Turning my attention back to the paper, I quickly find the answers to the forty questions. That's it? Just some simple math? Wow Emma.

"I'm going to go give this to Emma now, so I don't forget," I say, standing up.

Lydia nods and pulls out her phone. I have a phone too, with some social media, but I try to use it as less as possible, so we don't have too big of an electric bill.

I turn to walk towards Emma's usual lunch table, but stop dead in my tracks at what I see before me; Emma, with her phone's camera pointed straight at me, and a smirk planted on her face.

Is she taking a picture of me? A video? Why? How do I look? Is my black hair in the right place? This is Emma. Imagine what can happen with that photo...and what will happen if I don't look good enough.

I walk gingerly over to her, careful to keep a straight-face, not to show my horror. I place the paper down in front of her and walk swiftly back to my table before anything can be said.

What was that about?

I yank Lydia's phone out of her hands and quickly go to her 'Instagram' app.

"Hey! That's my phone! Maybe you should try using your own!"

"Not now, Lydie."

There it is: .Emma.Bonita. The golden girl's profile, with her glamorous selfie in the little circle by her username.