AN: Hey! So this chapter should answer a question many of you have been asking *hint hint*. And as for Jenna and Matthew's friendship goes, well you'll have to wait to find out! ;) anyway, this is chapter 35!
Chapter 35
The only way to describe the final weeks of rehearsal was hectic and stressful. The entire cast was held in the clutches of Mrs. Bates every single day until eight o'clock in the evening. If we didn't sing well enough, or put a sufficient amount of soul into our acting, we were required to perform a variety of physical activity, which ranged from jumping jacks, to running laps around the circumference of the auditorium. I thought I knew crazy directors, until I met Mrs. Bates. I was sure she was breaking some sort of law, but pushed it to the back of my mind. She may have been insane, but she got us to cooperate.
"Ugh, the day I get a proper night's sleep will be a miracle" I whined to Ari and Matthew before classes began, exactly one week before opening night.
"Tell me about it" They answered in unison. We all looked like the walking dead, lugging our lifeless bodies around from class to class.
"Screw this, I say we ditch first period and go to the auditorium" Ari said, with her eyes half shut while rubbing her temples. Matthew and I exchanged looks, shrugging our shoulders.
"Sounds good to me" I replied. I wasn't usually one to skip class, but under the circumstances, I figured it was excusable.
The three of us dragged out worn-out selves across the school and into the oversized auditorium, crashing down into the seats and throwing our feet up on the chairs in front of us.
"So, I take it the two of you will be attending the cast party after our closing show?" Matthew proclaimed. What? I had no knowledge of a cast party, but was immediately intrigued.
"Wait, what cast party?" I asked. Ari and Matthew looked at me like I had three heads.
"Every year, someone throws a huge party right after closing night. This year it's at Sarah's- or shall I say Madame Thenardier's house . The entire cast and crew generally attends, and man, do things get wild." Matthew explained, chuckling. If I knew anything about teenage parties, and from what I gathered from Matthews short statement, party meant lots of drug, music, and alcohol.
"So, what, everyone gets drunk, stoned, spills all of their secrets, and then goes home?" I laughed, earning one from Matthew and Ari.
"There's a lot more to it than that" Ari specified loosely.
"So, you in?" Matthew inquired, both him and Ari staring at me. I wasn't very fond of alcohol, frankly and tasted horrid and after everything with my uncle, I vowed to stay away from it. I had never done any drugs before, mainly because I was too afraid it would turn my brain to mush.
"Yeah, yeah I'm in" I replied with a smile. I knew Spencer would never, never in a million years allow me to attend a high school party, let alone pick me up from one, so the three of us quickly devised a plan: I would tell him I was harmlessly sleeping at Ari's, go to the party, let loose, then really go crash at Ari's. As long as I didn't get into any trouble, which I doubted I would, everything would be ay okay.
Meanwhile-
Dr. Spencer Reid was running late for work on that third Wednesday in November. He was behind on his laundry duties, and was sure Jenna had been holding at least half a dozen of his shirts captive. Against his better judgment, he walked into the teenager's room and began rummaging around. Numerous articles of clothing were scattered around the carpeted floor. It was unlike Jenna to leave her 'sanctuary' such a mess, but due to her increased stress level and busy schedule, the young doctor dismissed it.
"It has to be here somewhere" Spencer mumbled to himself, getting down on the ground and sorting through the layer of clothes. He peaked under the bed, sighing at the surplus of items that were crammed between the few inches of space. He proceeded to pull the pieces out one by one, accidently unearthing a small, worn out leather book. His genius brain knew better than to open it, assuming it was his younger half-sisters journal. He was just about to place the book right back where he found it, and respect Jenna's privacy, when his overactive mind got hold him.
"She's in trouble, but she won't talk to me about it. How else am I supposed to help?" The genius thought to himself. Not being able to disregard the situation, he cracked open the diary and commenced reading at a rapid pace.
October 21st,
Intake:
Four cups of black coffee- 30 calories
Two rice cakes- 100 calories
One apple- 70 calories (purged)
Total- 200 calories
Weigh in- 107.8
I feel like a walking blimp. Carrying around all of this excess fat is eating away at me. I sliced up my arm again, but its okay, I deserved it. Maybe if I bleed enough the number on the scale will go down.
October 22nd-26th,
Fast
Weigh in- 106.2
Closer, but not quite there.
The 27 year olds blood ran cold. He expected your average teenage angst, not a food journal that depicted exactly what he feared. He had recognized the signs, but never thought he would have to admit it: not only had his sister had spiraled into the dark and lonely depths of an eating disorder, but she was mutilating herself, too.