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"Just water for me, thanks."

---

Step off the scale without looking in the mirror. Never looking in the mirror.
"You're going to be late for school!" Shouting.
I flinch.

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"Hungry?"
"No." Oops. "Thanks, though." Yeah, right. Your eyes don't believe me, anyways.
You walk away slowly, trying to look at me through the back of your head.
I wouldn't put it past you, so I just stay there, with my head against my knees.
I close my eyes and sigh.

---

A phone call tips you off, but this time, the phone call was from me.
"I'm, uh," Pause. Think. Careful. "I'm running a little late. You guys order without me."
"You sure?" Not concern, anymore. Suspicion.
"Yeah, yeah." Good. Breezy, offhand. "I'll catch up."

Silence tells me all I need to know.

---

"I'm worried about you." Flat. Voice as flat as your face.
There's no one behind it. Nothing in your eyes. You're a liar.
"Bullshit." Bullshit. Of course it is.
This time, you flinch.

"Emma..." Not an argument, now. A prayer.

Desperate. Like I was.

---

She's a stranger at a bus stop. I can't help but notice her. It's her hair, see. So shiny, it catches the light.
Healthy.
She notices me, too, but for a different reason.

"You're so skinny." She sounds impressed, almost. Something close to awe, but worse. Disgust.

I open my mouth, ready with No, I'm not, but what comes out is: "You really think so?"

Something close to disbelief, but worse.
Hope.