Chapter 20

I slowly get off the bus and look around at the teenagers all rushing to their next class. I smile a little, their rush reminding me of Emma in some way, and then look at Gemma next to me. Since the journey all the color had drained from her face, I had noticed her hands shaking when I was sitting next to her, I was nervous as well but it couldn't be that bad, could it?

I smiled at her and linked my arm in hers, trying to reassure her that this time she had someone with her. This time I was going to help her. This time it would be her last time here. I had to make sure of that.

I sigh as we follow the counselor in front of us, showing us around, I don't listen though, I just stare at the other people here; When did I become like them?

"Like robots ain't they?" Gemma whispers to me, I nod at her and then giggle as two girls stare at us, not moving. Gemma soon joins in, freezing when we come across a large woman walking towards us. I squeeze her arm tightly, asking her with my eyes, what's wrong? She shakes her head at me, still looking at the woman now walking down the steps to the large building.

"Nice to see you again Gemma." I note the emphasis on again, Gemma just nods and looks down at the floor,

"Who is she?" I whisper,

"One of the shrinks here." She wrinkles her nose in disgust,

"She will probably have you as well, she thinks people like us are a challenge, she likes a challenge?" I step back for a moment, letting go of her arm and shaking my head at her, not understanding

"People like us?"

"You know what I mean, people who have drink or drug problems, people who try to kill themselves, people who do.." She grabs my arm, lifting up the sleeve, and points at the scars running down my arm,

"...that." I shake my head again and pull my arm away from her, wiping the tears falling down my face away.

"Whatever." I mutter, I can't think of another response to that, because I know she is right, people like us. I was no better than anyone here, I was just like them, I may be worse than some of them. The moment of realization hits me when I take in those around me, when I finally understand that I am them. I thought I was so different all this time, I thought I was better, but I am not.

It was no longer me and them. It was us.

Just like us. Us.