The Self-Harmed

~You're not fooling anyone~

I dropped off my Project with Mr. Pepper and then went back to my room. There was a bottle of blue nail polish on my desk. I picked it up, and then picked up the note.

* You need to start using this. Your nails are turning purple from lack of nutrients. People will start to notice, like everyone who has an eating disorder in this school. You're not fooling anyone Charlie. This will help. I know how things get.

-C*

I plopped down on the bed shaking the bottle. I painted my nails and then left my room.

"Nice to see you around." Maggie winked at me.

I opened the door to the group therapy room. Everyone looked at me as I slowly shut the door.

"Charlie." Barbra said. "Nice of you to join us."

"I just wanted to give Clara something."

"Well why don't you sit down. You don't have to talk."

The only empty seat was by Ava. Ayelie got up and sat next to Ava. Her seat wasn't much better. It was between Clara and Ryder. I walked over and sat down.

"Now," Barbra smiled, at the group.

I slipped the nail polish to Clara, who slipped it into her boot. Once group was over I went back to my room again. I opened my door at a knock. It was Ryder.

"What?"

"Some of the Doctor's think you need someone to talk to."

"So they sent you." I laughed once. "You wouldn't understand."

"Why? Cause I don't cut myself?" He asked, pulling up his sleeve to show off scars. " 'Cause I'm not suicidal?" He looked up, showing a scar on his neck. " Maybe it's 'case I don't have an eating disorder?" He lifted his shirt, showing each and every perfectly showing rib, and his hip bones.

I looked down and he put down his shirt and pulled down his sleeve.

"I'm on your side Charlie. Everything you're going through I went through too."

"Your best friend didn't kill theirself."

"Want to bet?" He asked, crossing his arms. "I'm here so you can talk to someone. Anyone. Someone Who you know, " He counted it off on his fingers. "Someone that has been there, and someone who won't think your crazy."

"Well are you going to come in or not?" I asked, opening the door a little wider.

He smiled, and came in.

"So, this is what the cave of Charlie looks like." He looked around.

"Not very impressive is it?" I sat on my bed.

"I like it." He sat on my trunk. "So what's up?"

"Nothing." I got under the blanket.

"Come on." He said, sitting on the edge of my bed. "You've been locked in your room for almost half a month. Something has to be going on inside that beautiful head of yours."

"I lost sixteen pounds since I've been here." I said, playing with a corner of the blanket.

"I wasn't going to say anything but I've noticed."

I nodded, "And Dr. Jones said what I have."

"And?"

"And It's stupid. I am crazy after all."

"We're all damaged in our own way. Nobody's perfect. I think we're all somewhat screwy. Every single one of us."

"Johnny Depp." I nodded.

"So?"

"It's called schizoaffective disorder, depressive type."

He nodded and then grabbed my face so I had to look at him, "You are not crazy. Your not weird. Your you, with quirks. Everyone has them. Everyone has to work through them. And together," He took my hand, "We can get out of here. Get a house on the beach, not come out of it forever. Hire someone to do our shopping."

I laughed.

"Clara can come too, if you'd like her there."

"I just want to be normal again." I sighed.

"I was always fascinated by people who are considered completely normal, because I find them the weirdest of all."

"Okay, Johnny Jr."

He smiled, "So what do you say, want to come out of your room?"

"We have to talk." Clara shut the door, and walked over to me. "Someone named Owen just got here."

"And?" I asked.

"His name is Owen Patterson. Ring a bell at all?