A scream of endless agony and bitter frustration echoes through the darkened loft in which a lone vanity stands the color of pale moonlight with three dim light bulbs attached to the pinnacle of it, shining gloomily down upon a head of what seems lackluster golden hair sweeping the floor. The mirror, illuminated by the three glowing orbs above, shows an abnormally anemic looking face with muted, tortured, bloodshot, stormy gray eyes rimmed with red as salty droplets cascade down her face in a symphony of silent sobs. A long, yet delicate nose sits majestically on the face as it crumples slightly with sniffles.
She looks directly at her reflection in the mirror as she mumbles and begins slowly to become audible.
"You said I was too ugly. So, I began wearing make-up. You said I was too fat. So, I stopped eating. You said my nails were too short. So, I grew them out. You said the scratches on my arms and face from having long nails were too unattractive. So, I learned not to scratch my face or arms . You said my hair was too short. So, I grew it out. You said my braces were too hideous. So, I got them off and have teeth that aren't straight. You said I had bad taste in clothes. So, I let you buy them for me. You said I couldn't put make-up or clothes on right. So, I let you dress me and put on my make-up. You said that I needed a boyfriend. So, I let you get me one. You said I had no life. So, I let you run it for me. I hated you. I hated myself!" The last of these words was more a shriek than anything else. She looked directly at her reflection, never flinching.
Her tears slowly stopped, and she began to speak again, quietly, "You you...taught me hatred. You taught me the true meaning of the word. You never left me, for you had become a part of me. You can't leave me. My very existence is dependent on you. You just don't understand!"
A voice of pure intention interrupts her utterings.
"Diana, come on down stairs! Cassandra is here!" the voice called from the stairs of the loft.
The girl, Diana, quickly looked in to the mirror and examined her face. She grabbed a Kleenex and wiped the remaining tears from her face. Her eyes began to shine with a certain light of joy that almost seemed unnatural. Diana quickly remembered that Cassandra does not approve of tardiness and ran down the stairs of the loft as fast as her frail body would carry her. As she reached the kitchen, where the front door was located she slowed down, calmed herself, and caught her breath. Diana walked calmly into the kitchen and looked toward Cassandra. Cassandra stood about five foot one and was immaculate in Diana's eyes.
"We're going' to my room, Mom, "said Diana happily as she pulled Cassandra behind her.
As they sat down on the bed in Diana's room, Cassandra looked toward Diana disapprovingly.
"That fit you threw at lunch was absolutely unnecessary. Please, try to keep in mind we have been friends, "Cassandra paused at this last word, "for a long time now and it is about time we move on. I don't see why you are taking this so terribly."
Diana commenced crying once again.
After a few minutes Diana stopped crying, stood and quickly grabbed what looked like an old key off her dresser that Cassandra had picked out for her and motioned for /Cassandra to follow her. Diana made her way up to the loft door and waited for Cassandra to follow.
"Go in Cassandra. I think you'll like this."
Cassandra opened the door and went in. As soon as Cassandra was completely inside Diana slammed the door violently and locked with the key she had taken from her room.
"A friend is a friend forever. You can't leave me. You can't. I won't let you, "Diana said toward the door.
She began to walk away when suddenly she turned back to tell Cassandra through the door.
"Dinner is at six thirty, and breakfast is at dawn. Don't worry, I'm here."
` Diana slowly made her way down the stair and went into the kitchen.
"Where's Cassandra? "asked her mother.
"She left out the backdoor, "replied Diana smiling joyously.