Chapter 1
Mariah sat motionless in her chair.
'Relapse?' she thought. 'How could I be having a relapse?'
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her mind wandered to
other things as her doctor droned on and on. She glanced at her mother who sat
there pale with tears streaming down her eyes.
'I was actually having my life back,' thought Mariah. 'I've got
great friends, my school's good, my mother's well, and Jake loves me. Why does
this have to happen to me now? I'm losing again..."
"You'll have to be admitted to the hospital as soon as
possible, Mariah," said Dr. Jonston. "I'll make sure you get a nice,
private room with a beautiful view alright? With the new wing open, there will
be enough rooms for you to have your own."
Mariah knew Dr. Jonston was trying to comfort her, but she
couldn't be comforted. How could she? After all that's happened to her, Mariah
felt herself going numb.
'What am I going to tell everyone?' she though. Questions flew in
and out of her head. Most of them she couldn't bear to think about.
"Honey?" asked her mother, inturrupting her thoughts.
"Let's go home and get you packing. Dr. Jonston would like you admitted
right away."
They preceded out the door and out of the hospital. Mariah wished
she didn't have to see this place again but knew it wouldn't ever happen in her
lifetime. When she arrived at home, she went straight into her room and sat
there on her bed, not being able to move. Her mother bustled in and began to
pack her things.
"I'll buy you books," said her mother as she packed.
"and bring you magazines and buy you a present everywhere I go. I know I
won't be here much, but you know I'll always be thinking of you, right? Mariah,
are you listening to me?" Mariah nodded and her mother went on talking.
Her thoughts started to drift to other things.
"All right Mariah, it's time to go," said her mother.
"Hey, don't look like you won't see your room again. You know you'll be
back, alive and healthy once again." Maraih nodded. "Just give me a
minute mom. I just need one more minute." Her mother nodded, hearing the
sadness in her voice. They both knew that this relapse meant that she may never
see the inside of her house again, but Mariah's mother still had hope. 'New
technology,' thought her mother.'That's what is going to help her. I hope.'
Mariah looked around her room,
wishing that she wouldn't have to leave it again. She searched for her diary ad
a few belongings and stuff it in her duffel bag. She reached for a CD player
and a couple of CDs. Just as she was about to leave, she noticed one of her
pictures with her mother, her father, and herself. Mariah just stood and
stared.
"Mariah, sweetheart! Let's go!" called her mother.
Mariah grabbed the picture and stuffed it in her bag. She glanced
around her room one last time, taking in her own familiar scent.
'I hope it's still like this when I return, if I ever do,' thought
Mariah.
She then stepped out and closed the door as if closing it to her
old life, stepping into a new one. Mariah knew nothing would ever be the same
again. Never.