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.
***
