Where No One Dares

Chapter 2: The Instability of a Happy Ending

Star had only been living with the Diaz family for two weeks and she had already been nearly arrested three times.

"Star is a... problematic child," Mrs. Diaz tried to explain to the police officer. Star had been caught vandalizing some person's -namely Brittany Wong -wall. The writing read: 'IF YOU WANT ME TO DIE SO BADLY WHY DON'T YOU JUST KILL ME?'

She had also sprayed a rather disturbing picture of herself with a knife in her chest, the cold, icy eyes staring straight at anyone who viewed the work.

"She's a teenager," Mrs. Diaz tried, smiling in a way that suggested she was just being hopeful.

"A psychiatric patient is what she is." The officer looked somewhat scared as he glanced at Star. "She needs to kept under control," he said firmly.

"Star," Mrs. Diaz said firmly, turning to her. "What did we talk about?"

Star shrugged and rocked back and forth on her heels. She didn't feel like she needed to explain herself to anyone.

Mrs Diaz sighed. "Okay. But what are you going to do?" She said, jerking her head in the direction of the officer.

"...Sorry" Star grumbled in a barely audible voice, then smoothed a covered hand over the wall, smudging the artwork. She was hinting at the fact that she would clean it up.

"You might want to visit a psychologist too," the police officer added to Mrs. Diaz wearily. "Please let this be the last time I catch her doing something like this."

Star's face lit up as she glanced back at the officer.

"Let me rephrase that," the officer deadpanned. "Don't you dare do this again. Or you'll end up in juvenile detention," he warned her.

Doesn't sound so bad... Star mused as Mrs. Diaz led her away to the car.

"Star," Mrs. Diaz said firmly, starting the car so they could drive home.

Star huffed and shot her an expectant look, slouching in her seat.

"This has gone far enough. I forbid you to go out alone."

"No," Star said, sitting upright.

"And why not?" Mrs. Diaz frowned.

"...You're not my mother" Star said through her teeth. Mrs. Diaz raised her eyebrows but didn't reply right away. Star leaned against the window and stared out at nothing.

"...I know that Star," Mrs. Diaz sighed. "But I am your temporary guardian and psychiatrist. At least listen to that much."

Star didn't say anything. The rest of the car ride was silent, and when they arrived at the house, Star refused to eat dinner. Marco had heard about what had happened, but he didn't know whether to feel sorry for her, dismissive of her, or empathetic. But he did decide to knock on her door after his parents had gone to sleep.

"Star...?" He called hesitantly. He wasn't expecting a reply, but he got one anyway.

"...No," Star said.

"I'm not here to scold you. I just want to-"

"No." She opened the door and glared at him. "No one...can help."

"...Maybe I could try?" he offered hopefully.

Star paused, then flushed. He was doing it again. That, small, in no way innocent, cute smile of his that made her brain momentarily stop working.

She had been speaking for a while now, so she was no longer skeptical about saying anything. This had also opened up a new world of feelings and emotions; a world with which she was both familiar and unfamiliar.