Emotional Change

Chapter One

"Chloe? Where are you? This isn't funny Chloe. Your going to be late for school."

My eyes gradually opened. Did I fall asleep?

"I'm getting up mom. Okay? Can I get dressed now? Mom?"

It was like I wasn't there. She kept on calling for me and searching for me in my room. Soon, the calling became shouts, and then screeches, and then she just gave up. She knew I wasn't there (though really I was). She left my room with a gloomy face that could make anyone burst into tears.

When I heard the last faint footstep on the stairs, I got up. I walked to my bathroom and turned the light on. As soon as I did though, I regretted it. My mom footsteps were back again charging up the hollow wooden stairs. She knew I was there. She must have been waiting at the bottom for just a single noise to echo. I felt fear pulsing through my veins. What do I do ? Do I hide? Can mom really see me? Can I see me? I never had the chance to look at my face because mom had already opened up the door slowly at first and then swiftly, expecting me to be out in the open. When she left disappointed, I suddenly realized she couldn't see me. The only way I would know is if I checked the mirror. 

This time, I did not turn on the light. I knew if I did, she would come shooting up the stairs and that would be another delay. No, this time I'll keep the light off. When I finally looked into the mirror, I could see myself. Somehow though, I looked different. I felt paler and skinnier and even a little weaker.

Then I realized. I need to eat. But how? I will have to wait till mom goes to work, but what if she doesn't go today because of me missing? I left my bedroom without answering my questions. I didn't need to answer them, I just needed to eat. I thought that when I walked down the stairs she would be able to hear me, but she didn't. I actually could have stomped and screamed down the stairs if I wanted. Thankfully, I didn't.  My mom was on the couch calling dad about how she couldn't find me. Dad kept reassuring her that I might have left early, but she knew that my backpack was still at home. After awhile, she calmed down. I think in her head she knew I was still there. Just not in her sight. I walked past her into the kitchen and grabbed some junk food from the cabinet. Then, I rushed a fake letter to say I'm at school so she wouldn't call the police. I had a feeling she wouldn't believe it though. 

I tip toed up the stairs and ate junk food while I lied on my bed. Some times women need junk food as an antidepressant. And right now I think I was the only one in the world who needed it most. My mother was downstairs in the kitchen. I could tell by her rythmic footsteps. I think I might have heard distant weeping too, but I can't be sure. Whatever it was, it didn't sound happy. I actually felt bad for my mother, but what could I do? I already wrote a message that said I was okay. So what was there to be worried about? Or was there something to worry about?