All the laughter... all the cold shoulders... the disowning... the ignoring... pointed fingers... teasing, bullying... being shut out... getting surrounded by everyone... getting screamed at... beaten, battered... I don't need anyone...

My eyes opened to the morning sunlight, the sunrays glowing through like gold, welcoming a new day. I sat up, messaging my eyes to rid the sleepiness from them before kicking the covers off of my body. I sat there, waiting for my body to wake up, along with my head. Mornings aren't my top things on my list.

Beyond staring at the floor, I thought about today...except my mind is blank. Am I...forgetting something...? The thing I recall is a dream I had with...monsters? No, couldn't be true. Monsters don't exist, right? Right.

Eh, what am I saying? The monsters are the people out in this world. Excluding the person who I trust with all my heart.

Planting my hands firmly on the mattress of my bed, I shoved myself to my feet, getting my eyes to focus on the boxes; taped and full.

Upon looking at them, it clicked. "Right...moving day..." I remembered, using my fingers to move some hair out of my face, being sure it covered the right side of my neck where I...

"Ezzy, you up?"

I left my hair alone to hear a young woman coming up the stairs, shoes being sounded on the floor. The person stopped at the door of my bedroom. She was in her late thirties going into her forties, bright red hair in a ponytail with a scrunchie. She wore a long sleeve shirt with black pants. Her eyes are a nice blue with a touch of green.

She grinned when she saw me. "Glad you're up," she said, chuckling at my 'I'm totally not completely awake' expression. "Did you sleep well this time?" I looked away, like I was ashamed. "Ezzy." I looked back at her when she called my name for the second time. "Were you up again?" she asked, her demeanor the same. First I shrugged until I nodded my head. "I see..." She pursed her lips together. "Your therapist did say those sleeping pills take a while to kick in..."

"It wasn't the meds, aunt Sarah, I was reading," I told her, pointing at a few books on my nightstand with a purple lamp on it. The chain hung loosely. "I was...uh..." I grabbed a book, showing it to her. "...reading these again."

She put on a friendly smirk. "You sure love those books don't ya?"

"They don't judge for who I am like everyone else did," I simply replied, gathering my books. I carefully put them in a box. I closed the flaps, taping it shut. "However," I added, this time embarrassed. "I had a dream - a strange dream - about monsters invading a town..." I shook my head. "Pch, what do I know? Monsters haven't existed in a lifetime."

"You can't be sure about that."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"I mean... never mind. By the way, breakfast is on the table," she informed me, getting ready to leave. "Be sure to get dressed and come down to eat. I don't want you getting mood swings with no food in your system."

She made a good point, knowing how true it is. Whenever I don't eat, my moods are like a volcano. First, it builds up, then, if you ask or say something, my rage blows up like a red, boiling lava. "I'll be down," I told her, gesturing to her to leave so I could change out of my nightgown.

While I went through my clothes, I thought about the dream I had. It was... strange... I don't know how to describe it because it was...all...fuzzy... Like it doesn't want me to see anything besides monsters. From where, though...?

I sighed, roughly grabbing a simple shirt, getting jeans to go with it.

Replacing those with my nightgown, I lazily put it aside on my bed, making a note to put in the box full of clothes.

I walked out of my bedroom, descending down the steps to where I got hit with the smell of French toast. I would've made myself cereal. Mm, well, it doesn't matter...

Reaching the kitchen, I saw my aunt at the stove, humming to herself. I saw a plate with two pieces of French toast. I assume it was mine, so I went over and took possession of it. Then I sat at the table, slowly eating.

I felt my aunt at the same table, fixating her gaze on me. "I'm excited to move to a small town." Her smile hadn't left. "Who knows, you may have friends this time. Maybe..." she chuckled. "...a boyfriend."

I averted my eyes to the floor. "...no guy would want a girl like me..." I pushed my plate, placing my hands on my forehead. "Who would want to be friends with me? Correct, no one." Dark memories flood into my head, as I quickly shake them away. No need for those memories, Ezz, no need for...them... "Anyway...when will the moving company be here?" I asked, wanting to change the subject quickly.

"In a couple of hours; plenty of time to bring your things downstairs." Hearing her say this doesn't help at all to make me feel at ease. "I'll help you out," she offered, cleaning off her plate completely. "Better finish up," she advised, motioning to my plate.

I stared at my half eaten breakfast I had there. Reaching forward, I used the tip of my fingers to pull it back to its owner. Taking my fork, I went back to eating.

With plates all finished, they got washed, dried, and put in the boxes full of plates, bowls, and silverware. We headed up to my room, the two of us bringing the stuff down in the living room. I grunted at the weight from one of them, being careful where I'm going.

The boxes out of my room, aunt Sarah handed an empty one towards me, saying to put towels and bathroom stuff in it.

I obeyed, walking up into the bathroom to catch myself in the mirror.

Pale skin...emerald eyes...light, brown hair... I moved some of my locks, studying the mark I have on my neck. Tears came when another memory threatened into my skull. Clenching my teeth together, I banged my head on the mirror.

"Keep them out of your thoughts, girl...they won't torment you anymore..." I assured myself, feeling my heart skip a beat. "You got your aunt; that's all it matters. She cares about you... unlike those...beings..." I took my forehead off the mirror. "Who needs them anyway? They ruined my childhood," I disdained disgustedly, placing the box down on the floor.

I shoved the towels in the box, anger getting into me. I don't care for them not being folded up, all I want to do is get out of this town. I can be alone with the one I truly love, the one I trust. I'm not mad about going to a different town, I would be glad, excited, except no matter how hard I try, no smile comes to me.. I don't remember the last time I felt happy.

I opened the bathroom cabinet, my meds taking my attention.

I always refuse to let anyone know about these. They'll say I'm crazy...

I got a hold of them, shoving them with the towels. My aunt says there's no need to keep my conditions a secret. It's part of who I am.

Yeah...right... A girl with depression and anxiety...something everyone should know about.

Once the bathroom stuff was in here, I got out of the bathroom, returning to the living room. I set the box down. I looked around.

Boxes upon boxes piled from one another. All organized and ready to go.

I lean against the wall, watching my aunt placing her glassware wrapped in protective bubble wrap to keep them safe in the box.

I always thought they were beautiful... though I accidentally broke one of them... I swore I thought she'd get mad like how...

Ugh...stop Ezzy, I berated, rubbing my head. Man, thinking about them can cause headaches.

Massaging my temples, I sat on the couch. I removed my fingers from them when my headache subsided. "I can help you out..." I spoke, not wanting to be a burden.

"Nonsense," she waved off, finishing up. "You helped enough. There." She wiped her hands together like they were dusty. "All ready to go. All we can do is hang and wait for them."

Just as she said that, the doorbell rang. At first, we thought it was the movers, wondering why they're here so early. Turned out, it wasn't them, rather one of my aunt's friends.

"Hello, hello, hello," her friend greeted with lots of enthusiasm, walking into the crowded living room we're in after she was let in. My aunt softly laughed. Her friend saw the stuff all packed up. "Looks like you girls are all set," she observed, checking each box before looking at her than at me. She directed a smile in my direction. "Ready for a new chapter?"

"...sort of..." I mumbled in a low tone voice.

She blinked. "Alright..." I was starting to think she'll leave me alone when she said something else. "Stand up," she commanded, causing a sigh to escape out of my mouth. I stood up. "Wow," she breathed. "This girl gets beautiful everyday, Sarah." I tossed my eyes to the side when she gave out a compliment. Sure... "Look at her." Studying me, I felt like I was a statue in a museum when she came up to me. "Boy, when she was ten, she wasn't pretty at all."

"Abby..." Aunt Sarah warned, thinking I was offended.

"What?" Abby replied in answer. "It isn't like she goes from non pretty, to pretty, then back to not being pretty," she said, defending herself.

"Uh huh..."

She stared at me, until she remembered something. "Yes, while I'm here to say farewell, I got a going away present for you, Ezzy."

"A present?" I responded, a bit surprised, watching her dig through her purse casually hanging by her side. She took it out, holding it out her way.

"Got this at the store. I'm sure you'll love it." Beaming, she waited for it to be taken.

Looking at the white box for a few seconds, I ended up taking it. I open it up, raising an eyebrow. "Thank you...?" There, inside of it, contained a necklace with an emerald charm. I noticed my name is etched into it. "Um..." I had no clue what to say.

"Isn't it gorgeous?" she gushed, seeing my reaction. "I went to my favorite jewelry store and had it made for you."

"Thank you...?" I repeated, unsure whether I like it or not. I went to put it away when my aunt spoke up.

"Why don't you put it on." Honestly, I wanted to decline, though she gestured for me to put it on. Taking a breath in, I obliged. "Aw, it looks nice on you!" she kind of squealed.

"Can I take it off now?" I asked, refusing to be the center of attention.

"Ezz." My aunt frowned at my attitude.

I rolled my eyes. "I'll keep it on - then I'm taking it off once we get to our new home," I promised, tucking the necklace in front of my shirt to make sure I won't lose it.

She nodded with respect. "It's your gift; you can do whatever you want with it. Be sure it doesn't get lost or broken." I wanted to roll my eyes again, then decided she was tired of it. "Well, thank you for stopping by," she directed towards Abby, the two friends making their way to the front door. "I promise to talk to you on the phone."

The two waved goodbye. I silently kept to myself, playing with my new profound gift. In all truthfulness, it does seem nice on my appearance, even though I'm not big on jazzy stuff.

I stopped messing with it. Life could be better than this...

The necklace felt cold on my skin...like those cold fingers I had back when... I snapped out of it. Of course, those memories won't go away; they'll be fresh no matter what I do. I wouldn't feel sorry when those beings are gone; vanished. I won't care if they die or what.

I know, I know, it's mean. I cannot help it, it's their fault for ruining me.

Twenty minutes passed because I was starting to get bored. I wanna do something while I wait for the moving company to get here.

My attention caught the box filled with my favorite book series. I wanted to read one badly, except I had decided to wait until we got to our new house. No need to unpeel the tape...

So, I flopped back on the couch like a worm for it has no bones... or do they have bones? I don't know what to think. All I can focus is on what is to come my way this time.

Hey, once we get to our new place, I won't be bothered by anybody...

Well, that all changed the day we got to our new house.