A/N – Thank you everyone for the beautiful reviews! And just because people have been asking, there's something to look forward to in the next chapter…Ryan. Please read and review :)


"Coop?" Summer rapping knuckle on the wood was barely heard through the retches that escaped Marissa's mouth. "Want me to come in?"

Why is she here? How did she get in? Why can't she just leave her…

"I'm…" she started, but collapsed in another fit of retches, that this time came voluntarily, without prompting from her fist. Despite the burning acid that flamed in her throat and stomach, she was proud that she had managed to get to the point where she didn't need to shove her whole fist down her mouth.

"I'm coming in," interrupted Summer, pushing the door that Marissa had forgotten to lock. "Coop! Sweetie…" Summer dropped to her knees next to her best friend, her head resting on the porcelain bowel. "Honey, you look sick."

"I'm not…" she started to say, in denial of her problem. Then she twisted the meaning of the words around. "Sick" didn't necessarily have to mean "sick". "Sick" could just be an excuse for what she was doing to herself.

Because she wasn't sick.

"Actually," she said. "I think I am sick."

She wasn't sick.

"You're so green!" exclaimed Summer. She extended to her hand to prop up Marissa's chin, staring at her in better light. "Come on sweetie, you're going to bed." She helped Marissa up, clutching her arm tightly. Summer's brow creased as she noticed how her hand almost slipped from Marissa's tiny wrist. She said nothing, and continued to lead Marissa to bed. "Get some more comfortable clothes on." She said. She let go of Marissa and let her walk to her wardrobe. Her steps were small and liquid smooth; she walked like a ghost. Summer couldn't help thinking how much she looked like one too.

She watched in silence as Marissa unbuckled her jeans and slid them down the thighs. Summer was shocked at how easily the clothes slid down her limbs, the baggy fabric falling easily from around her almost invisible legs. She stayed silent.

Marissa, having pulled a pair of large sweatpants up her legs, raised her arms to remove her top. Summer, although she hid it, inwardly gasped as her friend revealed herself. Her ribcages stuck out from behind her pasty looking skin, hollow cages sticking between the protruding bones. She remained quiet, staring in shock. Marissa's eyes diverted to her friend, and she instantly felt ashamed at the way Summer was looking at her.

She's disgusted at how fat I am. She can see all my flaws. She'll pretend she doesn't notice, that I'm still beautiful, but really, she's appalled and disgusted at the way fat clutches onto my bones.

She covered herself in a sweatshirt and walked silently over to the bed, her head down turned as she tried to avoid Summer's searing eyes. She pulled the blankets self consciously up to surround herself, burying her imperfections in a layer of warmth. She felt the bed move as Summer sat down next to her, but she still didn't look up to meet the chocolate eyes that stared at her.

"Coop?" Summer's soft voice reached out to her ears, and her soft touch reached out to her shoulder. "Are you okay?"

I'm not sick, that's for sure.

"I think I'm just sick. I'm…going to go to sleep now."

"Okay." Summer said softly. She reached over to pull her friend into a hug, but her eyes widen as Marissa's skinny ribcages poke into her. "Love you, Coop."

Well, that's a first.

Marissa lay her head down on the pillow and listened, as Summer's footsteps grew fainter against the wooden floorboards, eventually disappearing from the room. Marissa sighed. She felt her exhaled breath breezing around inside her chest, brushing against the thin layer of skin that separated her ribs from being exposed, the cold oxygen icy against her skin.

I'm not sick.


A/N – Next chapter: The return of Ryan. Please review :)