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Mia Sullivan.My best friend.
I stared at her, feeling a mix of emotions. She glanced at me,raising an eyebrow,and gave me a look that was both teasing and cruel.
“Dinner’s ready,”Mr.Hayes said.
The housekeeper,Mrs.Wilson,served exquisite dishes.I hadn’t seen such good food in years,but the smell made my stomach churn,and I felt nauseous.
“Lily,long time no see.You’re so thin—eat up!I remember you loved shrimp bisque,”Mia said,ladling me a bowl,placing it in front of me.
“I can’t have soup now,”I said,my face pale,pushing it away.
Mia insisted,and in the struggle,the soup spilled all over the table,dripping to the floor.
Everyone’s expressions turned dark.
Lucas slammed his chopsticks down.“Three years in the hospital,and you still haven’t learned your lesson?Skip dinner.”
Mom scolded,“Mia was just being nice.You didn’t have to make a scene.Maybe a few more years in that place would teach you some manners.”
Their accusing looks felt like knives stabbing into me.
I couldn’t go back to that place.Shaking,I knelt,banging my head until it bled.“I’m sorry,I’m sorry,it was all my fault.Please,don’t send me back.”
I even started licking the spilled soup off the floor, mixed with dirt and dust.
They watched,stunned into silence.
Lucas’s face twisted.“Lily Harper,what’s with the act?Get up,stop pretending.”
I shook my head,my starved stomach seizing from the hot liquid.Sweat beaded on my face,pain overwhelming me.I vomited,tears,snot,and bile pooling on the floor.
Mia gasped,covering her mouth.
I knew Mom was frowning angrily.
I’d ruined everything.
Under their burning stares, I ran to the bathroom. I leaned over the toilet, retching uncontrollably, clutching it tightly as I gasped for air.
How pathetic I must have looked,Lily Harper.
