Just a Normal Girl

It Couldn't Happen to Me

5:45

Another alarm clock screaming morning had come my way. I opened my heavy eyelids to the darkness and cold of the early hours. I wasn't sure what to expect this morning. It was typical, yes, but I had a strange sense that something was going to happen. It was a very strong feeling that was beginning to bother me.

I turned on the light, which was only an arm's reach away from my bedside. Rubbing my eyes, I searched the room for anything out of place. Everything seemed to be in order. Goosebumps treaded up my slender arms and my spine tingled. A strange aroma was tickling my nose and a bitter taste had overtaken my mouth. Sweat slowly trickled down my forehead in beads. I took in a deep breath.

A jerk seized my body, slamming me onto my back on my bed. The covers flew into the air as the spasms began. My eyes rolled back, though my lids were wide open. My fingers twitched incessantly, making small circular movements. My lips were tightly pursed, though a shrill scream escaped my throat. My nails dug into my hand, a small countenance for the extreme physical pain.

It was all over. I wiped the sweat away, breathed in slowly, then sat up. I was a little weak and shaky, but relieved it was all over. I looked back at my bed. The neatly folded sheets and bedspread was now a jumble of twisted junk. I sighed and began to make my bed for the second time. At least it wasn't exhausting work, I thought. It could be much worse.

I finished after a couple of minutes and resumed my daily schedule as I walked down the long mahogany stairs. My father and breakfast were waiting for me downstairs. I slumped into my chair and began to eat my corn flakes. He eyed my face with concern.

"You're awfully pale, Sango." He commented. I glanced up at him.

"You know why." I replied. He gave me a quick hug and kiss on the cheek.

"We'll find a cure, Sango, we'll find a cure. You are not going to live with this for the rest of your life."

"You say I'm strong, daddy. I can deal with anything. Epilepsy is not going to get me down. It never has, and it never will."

"I know, Sango. I just...I don't want you to suffer."

"I'm not suffering," I lied, putting my half-empty bowl in the dishwasher. I kissed his cheek and left, closing the heavy door behind me.

I felt bad lying to my feather, but I hated it when he worried, especially if he worried about me. I had been diagnosed with epilepsy in the sixth grade, when I first complained of jerks in my sleep. After a couple of tests, the doctors knew that those "jerks" where actually the symptoms of monoclyonic seizures. Living knowing that I had seizures in my sleep every other day or so really didn't affect me at first, but now that medication wasn't an effective cure, things started to change just slightly for me.

My dad worried a lot, and it really bothered me. I didn't need him to stress, and I didn't need all the extra attention, but he couldn't help it. It was weird. It felt like I lived two different lives. At home, I was the underweight little girl with a big mental disorder, and at school and everywhere else, I was the upbeat senior who was well-liked and involved. I had a lot of friends, and not a single one of them, not even my best friend, knew about it. I didn't want them to start to worry, but sometimes I felt a little guilty that I was keeping one of the most important secrets from them, but it was for the best, I believed.

School was typical. I had fun with some friends, and I worked hard. My backpack was heavy, and I was ready for the weekends though it was barely Tuesday. I finally bumped into Shin.

"Hey, Shinjuko!" I greeted her eagerly. She turned around and smiled, immediately hugging me. I giggled and chatted with her. We always talked up a storm, even if there was nothing to talk about it.

"What's up, Sango?"

"The sky. So, how are you?" She sighed, her golden locks flying gently with her breath.

"I'm tired. How about you?"

"I'm tired, too." I paused and searched her amber eyes. "Shin..."

"Yes?"

"I need to tell you something."

A/N: The character "Shinjuko" is a borrowed OC from Kinneko, a fellow fanfic author.