"Mmm..", Clare let out a long sigh of pleasure when she removed the shiny, heated up bobby pin away from her scarred wrist. Fifteen-year-old Clare Edwards looked around her private bathroom and immediately felt disgusting. She loves the way burning makes her feel in the moment, but she can't ever escape the regret and shame she feels right after. Clare quickly pulled down her blouse sleeve and went downstairs to meet her mother for breakfast.
Clare lives with her mother, Helen, in a large three-bedroom house. She used to love her house, but ever since her parents got divorced and her older sister, Darcy, moved to Africa, it's just an empty house. As she was filling her tumbler up with coffee, Clare's mom broke the silence. "I am so sick of you moping around all the damn time. It's not like someone died, Clare". This was the first time in months that Helen spoke to Clare so directly. Most of the time, they just communicated through notes on the refrigerator or the occasional text message. Clare stared blankly at her mother and walked out the front door without saying a word.
Clare walked to the bus stop and was greeted by her two best friends, Adam and Eli. "Clare, I need you to settle an argument. Which video game would you rather play? Call of Duty or Halo?", asked the smaller, more feminine Adam. Before Clare could answer, Eli in his authoritative voice said, "Torres, I know Clare-Bear like the back of my hand and I know for a fact that she would rather play Call of Duty like an educated person". When Eli started talking, Clare forgot the entire conversation. Elijah Goldsworthy, with his shaggy jet-black hair and sparkly jade green eyes, is the love of her life. Clare knew from the moment she saw Eli, well him running over her old pair of glasses with his hearse, that she loved him. "Clare!", Adam yelled at her. Clare looked at Adam with much confusion, "What? What was the question?". "Ugh, nevermind. The stupid bus is here". Eli gave them both his signature smirk and walked onto the bus. Clare closed her eyes, took a deep breath and followed the boys silently on the bus.