"Clare! Dinner is ready!" My mom shouted up the stairs.

I used to love to eat, especially my mom's cooking but now I don't really care for food at all. Nothing looks appetizing to me anymore and no matter how much I eat, there's this empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. An empty feeling that won't go away..

I made my way downstairs towards the kitchen. "Hey, sweetie...why the long face?" my mom questioned, dicing fresh tomatoes.

I shrugged. "It's nothing. I just have a bit of a headache, that's all." I forced a small smile.

"Oh. Okay then. How was school?" she asked as she went around to set the table for her and I.

I could tell my mom wanted to make conversation but I just wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone.

"It was okay.." I answered but then shortly added, "Actually, I don't feel too good. Can I just go to bed?"

"But aren't you hungry?"

I shook my head. "I feel rather nauseated.."

She frowned with concern. "I guess...goodnight sweetie. I'll see you in the morning."

I felt bad for leaving her to eat alone but I just can't do it.

Once I shut off the lights and threw myself on my bed, pulling the sheets up to my neck, I snuggled the closest stuffed animal.

Sleep was my only escape but even then he'd bother me in my dreams as well, turning them into nightmares.

It was always incredibly hard walking into school every morning...I can't even begin to explain why or how. As I walk through those doors, my mind is immediately clouded with all of these irrational thoughts.

They are all judging you.

Cheap slut. Whore. Bitch. Fatass. You're not good enough. Everyone hates you. Your hair is ugly. Your clothes are crap.

I shake my head, rubbing my temples. I just wish these thoughts would go away but they won't. I tell myself, "It's all in my head." because it really is but I can't help but let them bother me.

My heart pounds so loud I feel as though I can feel it throughout my whole body. My palms began to get sweaty, my vision blurs.

I clench and unclench my fists as a way to find relief but it doesn't help.

I feel like I'm going to die.

I run straight to the girls' bathroom, finding it fairly full. I go to the closest stall and lock it. I fall against the wall, my head between my legs.

Stay calm.

You can do this. You'll be alright. It's all in your head, Clare...all in your head.

My jagged breaths cause pain to ride up my throat, along with my breakfast.

I feel like I'm going to vomit.

I sit on the toilet as I calm down but my heart still pounds out of control.

As I hear the last of the girls' exit, I heavily sob, "Why do I have to be like this?"

Why can't I be normal? Is that too much to ask for?

I wipe my tears on the back of my sleeve, checking the time on my watch. 7:55...class starts in five minutes.

I know I should go but I really can't deal with it. Maybe I'll just hang out here for a while?

An idea comes to me, as I pull out my cell phone. I quickly dial the number, mustering up the best motherly-like voice I have. "Yes, I'd like to notify you that my daughter, Clare Edwards, will be out sick today. Yes, thank you. You have a good day too, ma'am." I click end.

I open the stall door and brush off any dirt that may have gotten on my pants. I sigh as I look in the mirror.

Suddenly I hear male voices in the hall outside. "Really? Can't you guys just leave me the fuck alone?" Then there was a hard slam against something. "Shut the hell up, faggot boy!" Again, there was a slam and a thud to the ground.

A boy vigorously ran into the girls' bathroom, running into the counter of sinks. It took me a moment to realize that this guy was the same guy that thought I was "stalking" him. Elijah. But why were people bullying him? He seemed like a decent person, to me.

His heavy panting filled the silent washroom. "I wasn't stalking you.." For some reason I muttered.

He slowly turned to look at me, what a mess I must have looked. Puffy, red, blood-shot eyes, face swollen and blotched from crying.

"What do you mean?" he questioned. I couldn't help but notice his bruised eye from the other day looked even worse than before.

"The other day you asked if I was stalking you...I'm not though."

His mouth made an O shape. "I was...just kidding, you know." His eyes shot to the ground. "Can we pretend that that didn't happen?" his voice almost comes out as a whisper.

I understood what he meant but I so badly wanted to know why it happened.

I just nodded my head.