Author's Note ~

It's been a couple months since I've updated. I've been busy with summer school, robotics camp, and work. Now that I'm finished with summer school, (got ahead in my credits woot) I should be able to update more. Hopefully. I'll keep trying!

I wake up to the sound of "Coming Down" by Five Finger Death Punch on my phone. That's Arlo's ringtone. I throw off my covers and make a dash for my phone. I shakily answer the phone.

"Arlo?!" I half shout.

"Gwennie!" I start to calm as I hear Arlo's voice on the line.

"Where are you? You have James and I worried sick!"

"A few of Blake's buddies knocked me out and took me to some alley. I'm home now."

"I'll be over in a few," I say quickly and hang up the phone.

I swiftly throw on some sweatpants and a band tee with my converse. I'm just going to Arlo's. He and James won't care.

As I run out the door and make sure it's locked I throw my hair up in a bun. I'm half-walking, half-sprinting to Arlo's. That's when my stomach growls. You're fine, the voice in my head says, you don't need food.

-

Within minutes I arrive at Arlo's front door and walk on in and up to his room right past James. I hear him mumble a greeting through a full mouth but ignore him and continue up to Arlo's room.

I barge into Arlo's room to see him sitting on his bed watching Naruto. He has food.

"Well, hello there, gorgeous," the words slide off his tongue.

My cheeks flush a deep crimson with anger and embarrassment. I spit out the words, "You had me worried sick! No calls, no texts, nothing! You can't do that to me!"

"Calm down, Gwennie. There wasn't much I could do."

"Fine, whatever."

"Come sit with me," he pats the spot next to him on his bed.

I scuffle over and sit down next to him. I sigh deeply.

I zero in on what's happening in the show. I soon realize that it's the very first episode. Hmm, I wonder what compelled him to start over.

"Why are you starting over?"

He replies subtly, "I just wanted to rewatch it is all. You tend to notice something new with each time that you watch something."

I decide to just go along with it and continue watching. Before long my stomach growls and growls loudly. I hadn't even been thinking of food.

"Someone sounds hungry," Arlo says, referring to me.

"I'm fine," I say. "Really."

"Gwennie, don't do this. Not today. Please."

"Fine, I'll have an apple, but that's all."

"Thank you. That's better than nothing."

He gets up and walks down to the kitchen. While I'm waiting I decide to text Ava.

Me: Hey, girl! How are you?

I get a reply within the minute.

Ava: I'm pretty good, thanks for asking! How are you?

Me: I'm alright. Things could be better.

Ava: Yeah? Well, I hope that things get better for you. I've got to go for now, but we can talk about it later. Love you bunches!

Me: Love you, too!

With that Arlo walks back in with an apple and hands it to me. I turn it in my hands a few times and stare at it for a few minutes. I'm not so sure about this. Don't eat it. You'll gain. That's the last thing that you need to do. My voice never shuts up.

"I'm not even hungry, Arlo."

"Stop lying to yourself. That's not my Gwennie talking. That's the disorder talking. I know that you're hungry and that deep down inside you want to eat that apple, so do it."

He's right. He's actually right. I take a bite of the apple. Honeycrisp, my favorite. Arlo just knows. It's so good.

I can and will get through this.