Ignoring the pounding on the door wasn’t easy. But firm in her resolve, Lily hid her whole body under the blankets, trying to block it all out. Just make it go away.

“Lily, please!” He called. His voice sounded pitiful, sad, and she wanted more than anything to go to him, comfort him like she would’ve in the past. But she remembered what had happened the last time.

She wasn’t sure why he was so sad, but he was. Lily knew about people who “self-harmed,” or cut themselves, but this was different. He said they were so close they were almost the same person, so she should share his pain. Then he would get out the razorblade and make cuts on her arms, cuts she’d had to hide from the world.

No. She wasn’t going back.

Just then, she heard a car pull into the driveway. She breathed a sigh of relief. Mom was home.

And then an unwelcome sound. “My goodness! What are you doing here? Are you all right? Come in, I’m sure Lily wants to see you!”

Her mother’s voice.