This story is inspired by "Phoebe in Wonderland", a film by Daniel Barnz. I do not own any of these characters.

Chapter 1

Phoebe Lichten stood with her back against the caramel brick building of their school. She stood alone, a backpack weighing on her hand as she kicked the heal of her shoe into the pavement. Her friend Jamie, now exceeding her in height, passed her on his way to the bus.

"You coming?" maple brown hair hung in his eyes.

"My mom's getting me now."

"Why?"

"Because."

"You can't tell me?"

"I said because."

"Alright then. See you when I see you," he lifted a stiff hand before running off.

Phoebe watched the Red Queen in the window. Jamie spat his tongue at her before waving for a second time. She returned the gesture with a grin on her face. After the bus left, Hillary pulled up in their blue minivan. Phoebe sat down in the passenger seat, throwing her backpack at her feet.

"Did school go okay?" it had been her first day of sixth grade.

"It was okay," Phoebe mumbled. Hillary's eyes scoped the profile of her daughter.

"Is that all I get?"

"That's all you asked."

Today, she had a session with her therapist, her reason for not taking the bus. Jamie knew she had therapy, but Phoebe didn't like to talk about it. When she was in Elementary School, her sessions were later in the day. Now, she had to go straight from school. It wasn't the best time, and Phoebe typically wasn't in a good mood at this hour. She liked her therapist; a woman with a pixie cut called Mrs. Avon.

Today, Phoebe hadn't much to say. Mrs. Avon asked her how she was doing, but Phoebe didn't answer right away.

"Phoebe?"

"Phoebe, Phoebe, Phoebe," Phoebe could feel her face turn scarlet. She tapped the blue rug with her heel, her eyes on the ground.

"Are things okay at home?" No answer.

Mrs. Avon decided to speak to Hillary instead. The former asked about her medication, if any obsessive behavior had worsened, and what home life and school looked like. Mrs. Lichten thought she knew the cause; Middle School, hormones, her father's absence, and on top of that, her Tourette's was bothering her more than ever. Medication hadn't completely banished her ticks. She was completely aware of them before, but even more so now, and she felt self-conscience, especially in a new environment. And whenever Hillary tried to talk to her, Phoebe would completely shut her out.

"Phoebe can you grab that—Phoebe!" Hillary was left in the dark on the driveway with two paper bags of groceries in her hands, unable to pick up the third.

She managed to turn the knob of their garage door and push it open with her shoulder. Before she could place the groceries on the counter, the telephone rang.

"What's wrong with Phoebe?" Olivia asked, but just as Hillary picked up the receiver.

"Hello?"

Olivia stood in an olive green vest and kakis, asking who it was. Hillary held up a one minute finger.

"Who? Oh, yes, we'll be there on Thursday. Okay, bye—help me put these away. Where's your father?"

"Out. He left ten minutes ago."

"He left you alone?"

"I can handle myself for ten minutes. He knew you'd be home soon."

"Yes, but where did he go?"

"I don't know—aren't you going to ask me about fourth grade?"

"Oh…." her eyes wandered, "How was it?"

"We didn't learn anything significant, but our new teacher was born in Germany. Isn't that cool?! Why would he come to America when he has Germany? He still has an accent."

Hillary hardly listened, but she did hear Germany and teacher. Her mind was preoccupied with many things, but as usual, Phoebe was at the forefront. Olivia knew it.

"Phoebe is in her room. I'm gonna watch a show before dinner."

"Wait, what about homework?"

"Don't have any."

"Is that rabbit out of his pen?"

"Phoebe has him."

After Hillary set a pan of water to boil, she went upstairs. She entered Phoebe's black room. The girl hadn't turned any lights on. Phoebe cradled her white rabbit, a Birthday gift she had received just last month. Her Wonderland obsession hadn't died, nor had Hillary's. She called her bunny White Rabbit.

"Can you tell me what's wrong?" Hillary switched on a light before sitting on the bed, "Did something happen at school? Is—is it your father and me?"

Phoebe stroked the rabbit's forehead with one finger. She sat cross legged on the floor. Her head turned to the window, where she could barely make out the moon. Hillary said nothing more, she only wondered and waited. Her eyes were tired. They always looked tired.

"I was embarrassed," Phoebe said at last.

"What—why?" her hand sunk into Phoebe's floral comforter. The other she placed on her thigh.

"I couldn't stop myself. I couldn't stop repeating my teacher in class."

"But, I'm sure they understand that you can't help it," Hillary stood from the mattress and kneeled beside her. "Is there anything else bothering you that you want to talk about?" Phoebe shook her head, her eyes glancing sideways to the ground.

Hillary swept blonde hair from her face and kissed her forehead before leaving, "I love you."

Olivia had been standing in the hallway. Hillary didn't talk to her nearly as much as she did with Phoebe, but Hillary didn't do this on purpose. Olivia knew her sister's struggle, but she couldn't help but envy her.

"The water was boiling so I put the pasta in," Olivia stood erect, waiting for her appraisal.

"What would I do without you?" Hillary passed her as she spoke.

She was satisfied with her mother's reply, but she was hoping for a kiss on the forehead.

Pretty PLEASE leave a review with your HONEST opinion and let me know if I should continue. I will post chapter three if I know there is an interest.