I manage to drag myself home before sunrise. Luckily, "Mommy" and "Daddy" are still sleeping. Carefully, I slip off my, shoe's and pad to the bathroom, because I desperately need a shower. I turn on the water, it's spray icy at first gradually getting hotter. While it runs I take a second to look at myself in the mirror. I don't look any different, hair still red, a few freckles across my cheeks. Then I begin tugging of my clothes, stripping off the fabric until I'm completely naked. Now I look in the mirror again, still the same, small boobs, knobby knees, pale skin.

Though there is one small difference, a white substance is dried onto my upper thigh. I jump into the shower scrubbing that spot, lathering my hand then going again, trying to remove it, after a minute it wipes away clean. I cover a single finger in soap, and clean myself inside, trying to rinse out every trace of him. It burns, but I deserve it.

Embarrassed by my disinfectant ritual I grab my shampoo, trying to do something normal. I soap up, getting every strand of red hair, then drag my fingers through, occasionally snagging on a tangle; I just rip them out. I rinse and repeat, tugging at my hair even more this time, ripping out some here and there. It feels good, even better it feels. I haven't felt anything in so long, this helps. I've done this so many times before, but I have to be careful not to pull too much out or someone might notice. What I do is called Trichotillomania, I've googled it , turns out a lot of people do it and I'm not a total freak.

By now the water was running cold, it doesn't stop me. Soon I hop out and wrap myself in a towel. Before I leave I take a tissue from the box and get the hair ball out of the drain. I dispose of the evidence and slip into my room.

xXxxxX

A light knock at my door wakes me. My mom's face peeps through the open crack.

"Good morning sweetie." She says, a bit timidly. She's been afraid of me ever since I started dying my hair, and plastered my walls with band posters.

"Good morning." I yawn, checking my clock and noticing I only had four hours of sleep last night.

"I made you some breakfast." she says, taking a few steps forward to place the cereal bowl on my bed. I thank her and eat a couple spoonfuls, but she still lingers in my door frame.

"What?" I say, looking at her quizzically.

"I made an appointment for you with doctor Martin this afternoon. You remember him right?" She says. Of course I remember Dr. Martin, he was a psychologist that my parents made me see when Grandma died.

"Why?" I ask flatly.

"Because you just haven't been acting like yourself recently, Cat. I think he will be able to help." She says, then turns and walk away. I'm furious, I don't want to see a therapist, it's just stupid, I'm fine how

I am. Angrily, I finish my fruity pebbles and get dressed.

XxXxX

"Cat, do you know why you're here today?" Dr. Martin asks, peering out of his horn-rimmed glasses. By his patronizing tone and almost-smug smile, I can tell he's expecting me to act like the Cat who would hit herself with pillows for no apparent reason. I'm not in the mood to act today, so I roll my eyes and give him a flat "No".

"Your mother was worried about you spending less time at home, and your attitude change." His voice had an edge as he said the last part.

"I'm growing up, she can't accept that. You really should have her here instead." I say, looking him dead in the eyes.

"I'm sensing some hostility towards her, did she do anything to upset you?" He says, voice a little softer now. I take a minute to realize how vague that question was, he never specified my mother; it could have been anyone. Maybe a certain Tori.

"She hasn't done anything." I say through half gritted teeth.

"Based on your reaction, I just can't believe that." He smirks, I want to punch him in the face.

"I'm not lying." I say harshly, he keeps talking and asking questions but I tune him out, spending the rest of our session in peace and quiet.

XxXxX

Authors Note: Hey, thanks for reading this far. I did leave an a/n in the first chapter, sorry J. So, what did ya' think? Please leave a review, it would mean so much! I also apologize for the short chapters so far, they'll get longer soon, I promise! -Jade