Looking in the mirror I see my disheveled hair with its deep cherry color. I then look down at my thighs that have the same color on them only there's a twist, rather than hair I see lines - thick and thin - covering them.

"Gwendolyn!" my mother shouts to me from down the steps.

"Shit," I mutter under my breath, "coming mother!"

I quickly dress in ripped skinny jeans and my Five Finger Death Punch shirt. My naturally curly hair is still straight from the day before when I flat ironed it. I quickly brush through it and flat iron some wavy spots. I put on my eyeliner with one quick swipe across each eyelid and head down the steps to the kitchen where my mother stands waiting.

"What took you so long?" she screeches.

"I was just getting ready for school," I say as I sit to put on my worn black converse high tops.

"You won't have time to eat now," she whines, "you need to eat, Gwendolyn."

I hate how she always refers to me using my full name. Most people just refer to me as Gwen. One person, however, calls me Gwennie. That would be Arlo.

Arlo and I have been attached at the hip since grade school. We're sophomores in high school now. He's called me Gwennie from day one.

"I'll be fine, mom. I'll see you after school."

Little does she know that I haven't eaten since breakfast the previous day. There's only been one person to know about any of my troubles, and that's Arlo. I don't know where I would be without that kid.

Author's Note ~

Hey guys! This is my first story on here, but I've always loved writing. I'm super excited to see where everything goes from here and can't wait to continue writing this story. Anyway, leave comments about anything you liked or think I should work on, and give me a follow if you would like. Toodles. ^-^