The Self-Harmed

~The Crazy House~

The lobby of the Academy was actually pretty welcoming. nice big front desk, couches, big windows, and bright pretty paintings. Meant to welcome its guests, not it's residents. But it was the type of lobby I'd like to see on vacation. All about the cover ups then Huh.

"Well, I guess we waited long enough." The Woman who had greeted us new kids looked towards the door as if it would magically fly open with more people. Like we weren't crazy enough for her.

There was a table with a card board box on it in front of her.

"Put all cell phones and anything you can use to hurt yourself into the box. Do it yourself or you can be checked by Security. "

I watched as everyone put their phones into the box. In went the blades, pocket knifes, lighters and match books as well. I stayed rooted to my spot. These people couldn't really be serious right?

"Charlotte, your head band."

"Are you shitting me?"

The kids in the lobby looked up at me. Rather in fear or to hope to see some drama unfold, they all LOOKED.

"It's plastic, you can break it and hurt yourself. And according to your charts-"

"Got it." I tossed the head band onto the table.

"Alright everyone." She said, putting my head band in the box. "All bags go on the belt and everyone goes through the metal detector."

Shit my shoe. I should of given up the razor when I had the chance. To have a clean slate. How were these people supposed to trust me if they saw me had a blade? I steeped up to the detector, my heart rate increasing they further forward I got.

"Come on." The Man said, waving me forward.

"So, DO you like your job?" 

"Walk though the detector please."

"Just stright through?" I pointed. When he didn't answer I scooted closer. "Okay. Wait!" I yelled making a scene, "Sir! Is that kid outside trying to kill theirself?" I asked pointing.

Everyone ran to the window. I yanked off my shoe and tossed it into the air, catching it on the other side. I slipped it on and turned around to see some of my new class mates had the same idea.  A few of them came over to give thanks to me on my plan. 

I looked down the hall. A guy in baggy clothes was quietly arguing with a woman in white. He was tall, way taller than I was, with extremely pale skin and dark hair. The clothes were too big, so maybe they weren't his after all. 

"You know what?" He said, as calmly as he could manage pressing his hands together in front of his face, "I can't have a simple salad in this prison?"

"Okay, okay. " The nurse looked around. "Just calm down Ryder, okay? I'll see what I can do okay?"

"That's all I ask. I'm sorry I lost my temper almost."

"That's okay."

Ryder hugged the nurse, and then she walked away a little dazed. Ryder made eye contact, nodded once and then turned down the hall head down. How long had he been here to have that kind of effect on the staff? More importantly, how long had he been in this place for>

"Charlotte." The woman said, trying to give me my bags.

"Yeah, Charlie." I said, looking down the hall, reaching for my bag.

"Sorry Charlie." Then she laughed. "You get that a lot don't you?"

"You wouldn't believe it."

"Okay, well here's your bag for school." She gave me a simple black back pack, "And this is your class list, your map of the school, and that is your room number. This here is when you meet with the doctor. If you seem to be getting better, you're groups will get cut. Groups are every Monday Wednesday and Friday."

"Okay thanks." I took the paper.

"Good luck Charlie."

The first thing I did was find my room. There was a bare bed on a white iron bed frame, with a box on it. On the other side of the room was a bed made up all in pink. I sighed and set my bags on the bed. I opened the box. Purple bedding. I made my bed and opened the trunk at the bottom of my bed.

It had a lock on it, but I knew the front office had a key for checks. I shoved in all my clothes, books and shoes. I shoved my bathroom things into my side dresser. I pulled my camera out of my bag and walked to the window. I opened it, but stopped from taking a picture. The window was blocked by black Iron bars. I sighed and went to the bed.

I shoved my suit cases under the bed and then opened the back pack. School stuff with a lap top. It had no Wifi. I set the lap top on my side table and grabbed the paper the woman gave me. I put my camera strap around my shoulders and left my room in search of the library. I got my student Id and school books before I dropped everything back off at my room. I went in search of my classes finding my locker.

I could of brought the damn books with me. I went to all my classes, asking for work I could do to catch up. The mostly told me that I just had to read the chapters. I left down the hall until a door with  photography caught my eye.

"You have an activity yet?"

I turned around, "No."

"Everyone has to have one. I'm Mr. Pepper. I run this class. Nice camera."

"Oh thanks." I picked it up.
"Would you like a tour of the class room? Perhaps you'd like to join my class?"

"No tour needed Mr. Pepper. I'm in. I really have to catch up in my other classes though, so I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Monday then, Charlotte."

"Um."

"I know everyone."

"That's creepy."

"I know." He opened the door. "See you tomorrow."

"Yeah. Sure."

I went back to my room, seeing a box in front of my room. I looked down the hall and then picked it up.

'This box is from your parents, Charlie~ Miss Sammie.'

I picked up the box and went inside. I set up my lap top grabbed my English book and opened the box. Junk food. I smiled and opened up a roll of thin mints I was halfway through a chapter when the door opened and a crying girl ran into the room, and fell onto the pink bed.

I looked around the room, as if there was someone hiding behind the curtain to help me, "Uh cookie?"

She looked at me and wailed, her head falling back.

"Well okay." I said gathering my things. "I'm just going to take my cookies and go. Give you a bit of you time."

I hurried from the room and found a table at the back of the library. I finished up my studying and went back to the room. The girl was looking at herself in the mirror. tears streaked her face, but other than that she was hyper focused on her image. she turned one way and then the other, Blond curls fell over her shoulder. Her blue eyes seemed dull and I don't think they could of sunk into their sockets anymore than right now. Was she... Yep, she was COUNTING HER RIBS.

"Are they all there?"

"Sorry." She looked at me in the mirror, then went back to her image "I tend to be sensitive."

"That's" I set my things on my bed. "I don't think I made things better when I offered you a cookie."

"You didn't." She shook with a laugh. "It's okay though. It happens a lot."

"I don't really get along with girls." I looked around the room, "I don't do emotions very well."

"I like to stick to myself too." She smiled. "Cool camera. Reminds me of someone I know. There's this garden through the dinning room. Perfect place to take pictures. You shouldn't be bothered there, and if your taking Mr. Peppers class, you'll need to put together a photo collage."

"Through the dinning room?"

"Yep. There's this big sign above the door. You can't miss it."

"Thanks, uh-"

"Clara."

"Charlie."

She smiled and then turned to the mirror. I pulled on my jacket and made my way to the garden, leaving the skinny girl alone with her reflection.