My Short Stories/ Ideas

Six Lilies

The sunlight burst into the room in one unwelcome flame as I opened my eyes. I lay in bed for a few minutes, waiting.

"Good morning."

There she is.

"Good morning, Six," I replied. She tisked disapprovingly.

"Careful, they may be listening."

"I don't care."

"Lily! Wake up!" My mum's head popped in through the door.

"I'm awake"

"Good, remember we have the psych today."

"I remember." She left.

"No faith," Six muttered disgustedly. I got out of bed and plugged in my earphones. "Waking yourself up? Or blocking me out?" She asked. I didn't answer. The music filled my ears, a temporary relief but a good one. Breakfast without sitting down and dressing without thought, done. Five minutes in the car trying to ignore everyone, done.  "You somewhere else?" Six's voice came over the loud music.

"Anywhere but here," I muttered.

The classroom buzzed with noise, pointless noise. It penetrated the ears and clouded the mind. Six looked tapped her arm irritably.

"What if we killed everyone in here?" Six asked.

"We'd be caught and convicted and I'd lose several years of my education and most likely my life," I answered.

"How awfully pessimistic of you." I shrugged. People around me began staring.

"What if you showed them your shoulder? How'd they react?"

"They'd say oh and that'd be the end of it."

"But if you explained..."

"They'd take five steps back and call suicide prevention."

"Again, awfully pessimistic of you."

"Miss, can we listen to music?" I asked as she passed. She considered.

"Sure," she answered, smiling. I plugged in my earphones and Six was gone.

The courtyard rung with children as I tapped my heels against the wall. Six sat beside me, watching.

"Do you remember when we used to smile all the time?" Six asked.

"We used to think the world was nice back then," I answered.

"Now you don't unless I'm in control."

"It's hardly smiling."

"If only your heart weren't so black nowadays. You used to be so nice. Now you won't even give anyone the time of day."

"I'm aware."

"You don't even eat."

"I'm aware."

"You think anyone cares? That you don't look after yourself? You don't even have a shower some nights, much less brush your teeth."

"I don't know and I don't care."

"You say that but is it true?" I glared at her.

"Yes," I sneered. She raised an eyebrow.

"You sure?"

"Yes." I looked down at my hands. She glanced at everyone in the courtyard.

"What if we could just show them? Show them what it's like to live through what you have."