That night, mom stays at work. I worry she will get hurt, but I push that thought away, like I always do. I feel the tight glasses snuggle my ears and I ache to take them off. No one will see me, right?
I tingle my fingers reaching up towards the temple of the glasses and pull them off. I screech with pain. I feel the sharp edges scrape my ears and I swallow down more screams. Deep breath, I say to myself, just take a deep breath. I yank harder than ever before and I sense the glasses detaching. "God that hurts." They come off completely and I lay them on my lap. Freedom. I look around and spot that the world around me is mushy like a foggy day. It's not what I thought the world would look like when I took them off. There is a big chance that the lights will flicker and I will become permanently blind. Nervously, I rub the tippy top of my ears finding new bloody scars. Great. I hear the click of the door and a fuzzy small blob walks in.
"I h-had a n-nightmire." The voice trembles as it talks. I recognize Amelie's voice without hesitation. I reach to pat her on the back, but quickly realise I have been caught. I reach to where I put the glasses, right in my lap, and slide the darn things back on. I see the world return to its normal state, but ever slightly darkened. So much for freedom. Amelie doesn't seem to notice; she slides her hands under her glasses and rubs fiercely.
"Please try to go back to sleep," I tell her, "The festival is tomorrow and we need some rest."
"Okay I-" She breaks off mid-sentence which leaves me to worry. Before I can comfort her the door clicks, which signals her disappearance.
"Goodnight." I tell no one but myself.
