Marriage By Contract

Chapter 37: Call To Love

The next few days passed by in a blur, not that I was even paying any attention. I spent my days cooped up in my bedroom, isolating myself from the outside world and my family too. Alex grew more concerned and so did Mary, Nick and my parents.

"You should eat dear." Mary would say as her eyes drooped with sadness. She was troubled for me and I didn't want that so I ate, although it was very meek, I ate just to satisfy her.

"Sweetie, you're growing thin." Mom stated in disbelief, examining my body. I couldn't quite hear what she was saying, for I was too busy thinking about something else.

His lips, his hold. Babygirl...

I just wanted to be left alone. To be left unbothered and untouched from the outside world including my family.

"I'm fine." I mumble.

"This is getting out of hand dear, you haven't eaten for three days straight." Dad says with the same disbelief mom held in her voice.

"Bread slices don't count, Lola." Alex chimes in. "And neither do granola bars."

"Whatever." I mumble.

I couldn't muster up the energy to go to school, so I stayed home. Thankfully my parents understood and allowed it. At this point, I believe they would've allowed me to do whatever that would make me happy. But the only person that could make me happy was Jason.

"I think we should get her a therapist Robert, it's like she's lost all functioning capabilities." Mom whispered to dad as if I couldn't hear them.

"I'm not going to talk to any therapist, so don't bother wasting your money."

My mother looked surprised. For the first time in days, I actually spoke in a full sentence.

"Well," she sighed. "You have to do something, because it seems like this fight with Jason has really taken a toll on you."

I didn't respond as I stare down at my feet. Our living room floor was now more fascinating than ever. I could feel Alex's eyes trained on me, but I didn't look up.

"Can I go to my room now?" I asked, hoping that they'd say yes and let me be. That endless whirlpool of darkness seemed to engulf me more and more as the days grew by, and I felt weak with every passing day. I was starving myself and it was because I couldn't find the energy to eat. I din't want to eat. In fact, I didn't want to do anything.

I thought about Susan. If she were here, she would've forced me to ate. "Eat," she would've said. "Or you're not leaving this kitchen." I recalled back to the time she had forced me to eat a grilled cheese sandwich. I envisioned her placing both her hands on her hips and she looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to eat. That was gone now.

"Sure sweetie, go up to bed."

I turn and leave the room without another word. "We really must do something about this, Katherine," Dad's voice trail off behind me.

"I know," she sighs. "And we will."

I tread up our house stairs slowly, finding it harder to move with every step I took. I felt out of breath and overworked.

"I'll be back in a few," I hear Alex say. "I gotta few things to take care of." Our front door opens and closes, signaling that he left.

Once I finally make it up the stairs, I go straight to my room and close the door. I crawl into bed and close my eyes. As if on cue, my phone buzzes, signaling a text notification. I open my eyes and reach for the phone. My heart swelled within me as I read the caller ID. Jason.