"Who do you hear?" "My parents. Mainly my mom as she sings- sang to me. I hear my brothers, both telling me to turn down my music, that classical was boring. They all talk to me, everyone does. I hear him when he would comfort me as I cried for hours. I still cry..." they whispered fading into the ocean. "Why do you cry?" "I have no one. I hear them all. But I also hear them as they whisper breathing down my neck, making me turn every which way, no longer feeling safe. I don't feel safe-" Another shuddering breath as the first tears escapes their red-rimmed eyes. "-I don't feel SAFE!" choking out the last word in a scream they stood up hugging their arms around themselves, protecting their body and turned to look to who they were talking to. No one was in sight, and as they sank to their knees hugging their chest they realized they had heard them but not out loud. Never out loud. *** Esme was diagnosed with Schizophrenia at the end of her Junior year of high school. This is her story before she lost herself. This is the story of how she survived. *** Esme had always been considered popular. Everyone wanted her and everyone wanted to be her. A new school year begins and Esme is now a Junior. She wanted nothing to do with dating but when she accidentally develops a crush she must keep it hidden or she will be shamed. *All Right Reserved*