Follow the Consequences
“Already you were leaving us.”

My ex-best friend pretended he hadn’t heard me.

“Sorry?”

“You didn’t even say where you were going. I had to work it out myself.”

“I didn’t know! Mum didn’t say anything. One day here, the next day America.”

“But you did know. You gave off signs. I just didn’t read them because you’d never left before. Mia and I were…” I paused to find the right word. “…devastated.”

“Oh, Ana, come off it. That’s a bit much, don’t you think?” He played with his salad, moving it around his plate like the old days. I felt nostalgic.

“Your mum knows about us, doesn’t she?”

He stood up.

“How’s the new place?” Maybe things weren’t going that well, if he was talking to me.

“I’m feeling some pressure, I guess.”

“Peer group pressure?” I asked, silkily. A long pause.

“Oh, Ana, everyone’s so good-looking at this treatment programme. Everyone’s really thin! I just want to be thin again. I can’t stand this.” Eyes shining, he bit his lip. “Can you and Mia help me?” I drew close to him.

“Yes, you know we can. Hush, now… it’s okay. We all make mistakes.” I faced him in the hallway mirror. “You’re very special, you know. We aren’t friends with many boys. So, have you put on much weight?”

Behind him, I gestured for Mia to lead him to the bathroom, to purge. Pain is pain. Life is life. This was only one solution for the present.


Mine is the 12th post in a game of Consequences. Follow the trail below. The Magpie Nest is next.

If you're in danger of losing yourself, you've simply joined the wrong group of people.

I stood up with the knife in my right hand.

"Sometimes, it is the flame that goes out looking for the moth."

Only the music belongs completely to itself.

We gulp what is here and ours and nobody's and nothing's.

Portez-moi à une nunnery!

All at once, wholly and decisively, he shook with laughter.

Who could possibly quarrel with eyes like those?

A person could walk right through them without falling.

This one's for you, Sister!

Already you were leaving us.

She now knew the butterfly effect could produce a loon in her office.

She felt blessed.
- posted by Ivy @ 9:00 AM ¦ | ¦