Chapter One: He can paint a lovely picture. But, this story has a twist. His paintbrush is a razor and his canvas is his wrist.~After

Nick let a heavy sigh pass his lips as he traced the few scars along his wrist. He was home alone, sitting on top of the kitchen table, his legs dangling out in the air. Who would have predicted seventeen year old Nick to be the one with such a problem? Some might have predicted it to be Joesph with his eclectic behavior or their sister Meredith with her rebellious attitude. A few might go as to accuse Kevin as most likely to harm himself intentionally. Who would think Nick, the collected and serious one, would be mutilating his skin. He certainly hid it well. There were a couple of scars on his wrist that could easily be passed off as accidents he had on stage. No one knew of the scars of his hips and thighs. No one looked there and he wanted it that way. He kept his purity promise for more than one reason.

The scars, they were a guilty reminder of why he had put them there in the first place. Some he could remember the reasons for more clearly than others.

But the intense high he got when he cut himself, when he tore at skin and saw blood seep out, had to be better than anything medication could give you. He couldn't understand pain killers, the things your body could do for itself with the rush of endorphins was exhilarating. The downside is the crash and burn when he comes off of his thrill. Sometimes it happens mere minutes after he rips his skin. At other times he can enjoy his high for days. Which is good because fans of Disney prefer happy songs as to the ones he usually writes when he isn't feeling the natural pain killers. On his high he can churn out a good two or three 'Disney approved' songs. Which only makes his sister Meredith more upset. Mer is happiest when Disney is upset with her brother's band, The Jonas Brothers.

She's jealous because Disney and Hollywood Records dropped her from the group stating they wanted a 'boy band'. She had an excellent singing voice and thought she could go solo but she was told countless times that the business didn't want her. When she developed a taste in things very Un-Disney the companies did as much as possible to make her not exist. Even the biggest Jonas Brothers fans are shocked when she shows up, not believing she's really their sister.

Nick pulls the sleeve of his flannel shirt down so his fore arm is hidden from view. He checks his watch and hops off the table. Not a minute later, the front door opens. He offers his two older sibling a smile but they're too busy bickering.
"Mer, he was way too old for you. He's what thirty-five?" Joe cried, hopping on one foot as he tugged off one of his sneakers. Mer swished some of her lighter colored hair from her eyes. "As a matter of fact Joe he was twenty-nine! And it doesn't matter, I'm nineteen. An adult. My relationship with him is totally legal. And that was really rude of you, he did not deserve Pepsi dumped on his shirt!" she said at an equally loud volume as her brother. Joe groaned, frustrated he shouted,"He only wants you for your money!"
Mer glared at him,"You mean your money Joseph." Joe rolled his eyes. "Oh we're playing that game now are we Denise?"
Nick cleared his throat. "Guys?" he said, hoping to interrupt their fight.

Both sibling faced Nick and snapped,"What?"
"Aren't three people missing? Like, the oldest members of the family?" Joe nodded and explained, "Mom, Dad, and Kevin are having a business lunch with some people." Mer shrugged her jacket to the floor and toed off her shoes before loping off to the living room. Joe quickly followed behind.
"And what are you doing now?" he asked his younger sister. She rolled her eyes, "Calling Garbo's." Joe shivered and shot her a disgusted look and said, "Why? Gonna hit on him too?" She scoffed,"Ew! No. He's so not my type and in case you forgot, his girlfriend, Haley, happens to be my best friend." She turned away and dialed the phone, ending her part of the conversation. Joe shook his head, "Whatever."

As Nick listened to the conversation his fingers danced over the hem of his shirt sleeve. This little sibling dispute could be better for him if he got his 'friend' out. Sure, he hadn't been involved but his siblings pain was his pain, right? He went upstairs as quietly as he could and slipped into the bathroom. Nick closed the door with his foot and reached into one of the drawers for his special razor. He pulled it out and made a disgusted face. There were hairs on it meaning he had to throw it away. He had heard of infections from used razors and knew he didn't want that. That's why he had one set out just for these circumstances. He fumbled through the drawer looking for a new one. When it became painfully obvious his parents needed to buy more he kicked at the wall.
Losing his balance, Nick fell into the tub. He moved his legs from the side and an echoing clatter sounded. Nick picked up the cold piece of metal he had knocked into the tub with him. Turning the fingernail clippers slowly in his hand he nodded. These could do the damage he was seeking.

He settled himself, leaning against the back of the tub and stretching out his legs more. He rolled up his left sleeve and carefully eyed his wrist, figuring out where to place the silver instrument. He lowered the clippers and pinched a small bit of skin in them. He slowly pulled them away and winced, more at the quiet ripping sound he heard then from the pain. He then set the clippers down on the tiled bathroom floor outside the tub.

He lifted his wrist up to eye level and noticed that the mark was small, less than half an inch. He stretched and prodded at the wound with his right thumb and forefinger. An ecstasy filled smile graced his face when he saw blood rise up. He closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath of air enjoying the moment of endorphins. A pounding knock made his eyes snap open. "Nick, you done in there? I gotta take a piss." Nick froze and felt as though time stopped as he watched the door knob turn. Joe stepped into the bathroom. Seeing Nick in the tub and the mess Joe shouted,"Dude, what the hell?"

Then his eyes fell to Nick's bleeding wrist.

Author Note: Review make the author extremely happy. I'd like to know your opinions on this serious subject.