Chapter 2
My mother rubs her flawless blazer for the tenth time. She sighs, and lifts the heavy ceramic mug to her lips again. It leaves a bloody crescent on the rim.
I open the fridge door, but think twice and close it again.
“Open that door again and get something, Alison. Or, you can get some cereal, or toast... There are waffles and frozen bagels in the freezer, too.”
“I’m not hungry.” I mumble.
“Hah!” she laughs, then her face masks over with seriousness again. “Eat something.”
“Fine.” I reach for the bread on the counter. “This doesn’t have any corn syrup in it, does it?”
“It’s bread, Alison.” She says flatly.
I put a slice in the toaster. I clench the edge of the countertop while the bread toasts. When it pops, I throw it on a plate and put a microscopic layer of butter on top.
“Put something else on it, please.” The Officer commands.
I cover the butter with a thin layer of strawberry jam.
She nods with approval before she leans over me and kisses me on the forehead, her lips cool and chapped. “I’ll be home around five.”
“Okay,” I whisper as I stare intensely at the slice of toast. It’s just toast... It’s not that bad....
I lift it towards my mouth, and even before I take the first bite, the calorie-counting beads click.
Slice of toast = 100 calories
I force myself to bite the bread and let the buttery taste fill my mouth. I nearly gag as the scratchy shards find their way down my throat.
“Do you want some juice?”
“No—” I cough.
She sighs, and opens the fridge where she grabs a juice box. She forces it into my hand, and I take tiny sips; just enough to clear my throat.
“I have to go now,” she checks her watch then looks at the clock on the stove. “I’ll be home soon after you. There are meal replacements in the fridge, and remember to do your homework.”
I nod and chew on the end of the straw.
“Are you listening?”
“Um, yeah,” I mumble, keeping my eyes on the floor.
“What’d I just say?” she challenges.
“You’re going to work, there’s meal stuff in the fridge. And do my homework.” I parrot like a good little girl I am not.
The house is quiet and freezing cold. I ignore the chill that’s sweeping around me and grab my book bag from my bedroom before going back downstairs.
I let myself out of the house and start towards school, even though I know I should crawl under the pavement and stay there until winter is over.
I don't really have that much to say except maybe a tad more description? I want to see what her house and what Alison looks like and her dead friend and everything. Description is important; it shows how your character feels about the world around her. I really want to know what happened to her deceased friend and Alison. I am really curious! Please post the next chapters when you are finished!
