~*~
Chapter Four

Another couple of weeks passed. Riley and I made up, but barely spoke to one another as we use to. I think she still entertained the notion that I had betrayed her somehow by becoming friends with Jessica. I was also still 'dieting', but now more and more people were starting to take noticed.

"You're looking exceptionally skinny." Cammie said to me on one occasion. I smiled smugly at her and let her bask in my glory.

"Thanks," I responded snottily before walking away from her.

My attitude changed completely. I seemed to be always moody, and I was always tired. I was popping Yellow Jackets that Jessica supplied to me left and right. My hair had started falling out in small clumps, and I found the least little bump cause me to have bruises. This sort of scared me, but I put it all off on stress.

Now, I had stopped controlling my food portions. I was eating whatever I want when I wanted it. I didn't have to worry about gaining weight. I had a simple solution for that, but I still struggled with a love/hate relationship with food. Once I had eaten to my heart's desire I always felt guilty.

One day after a particular greedy day I was having at lunch, I went to the bathroom. I checked and made sure there was no one in any of the stalls. I walked in one and started making myself throw up. I heard the clatter of shoes and the sink turned on. I hope whoever it was would leave quickly.

"Are you okay in there?" A familiar voice asked knocking on the door. It was my sister, Riley.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I answered.

"Chloe?" She quizzed. "Are you sure that you're okay? Do I need to get the school nurse?"

I could hear a note of worry in her timbre. "No, I'm fine. I think it's something I ate." I said as I heaved again.

"Are you sure you don't need me to get the nurse?" Riley asked again. She was quickly starting to annoy me.

"No! Now leave me the hell alone!" I snapped at Riley. I heard her gasp and felt a smug pride in myself for standing up for myself.

Even thought Riley and I were cordial to each other these days, every little thing she did annoyed the hell out of me.  I lost my temper easily with her (and everyone else) these days.

"Chloe…" She started. I was prepared to tell her to shut up again, but I decided the best thing would be to ignore her. "You're my sister, and I'm worried about you."

That was all she said, and then she walked out the bathroom leaving me alone again to my task at hand. I felt a twinge of guilt at having snapper at Riley. We use to be so close. I could tell her everything. Now, I was letting my weight come between us. I walked out of the stall I occupied once I was finished. I washed my hands and took two more Yellow Jackets for energy.

I looked at myself in the mirror. There were dark circles under my eyes and my hair look limp and dull. I put on a little more cover-up and brushed my hair to try and give it a little life.

"There's nothing wrong with me." I reassured myself as I turned from the mirror and left the bathroom.

~*~



notes: Thanks again to my ever present beta reader and friend, Digital Tempest. Without her I wouldn't have had the courage to start posting and writing. And thank you for letting me play with this idea. I sped up the process cause I'll be ending this in the next 6 or so chapters.