The first time I lied was really for a mundane reason. I was too young to realize then the truth behind only three lies. I had told my mom I hadn’t taken my younger brother’s toy and I watched a ripple of fear cross her face as she clapped her hand over my mouth. I watched with equal horror as a number three appeared above my head and ticked down to two. That day truly taught me the gravity behind...

I awaken with a gasp, heart galloping from my chest and sweat running down face. Again, the world tilts like the old fun house I used to visit when I was young and for a split second I hear my dad say, don’t drift too far Matthew… if only he could see me- a wave rises within, my back curves in bracing for impact. I scramble for the trash can and heave into the can. As I pant, I wonder what my life...

“Good morning Leila, it is 7:53 am, the weather will reach a high of 72 degrees. I noticed that your magnesium levels are low so I have prepared a breakfast rich in it.” I rise and stretch feeling the familiar crack down my spine.

“Thank you Rylee, what do I have on the agenda today?” She went on to list the various meetings I will have as I prepared for my day. I checked my mirror log for the pe...

It was late one night. Raining. The kind that comes down in harsh sheets asking for your repentance. I was five and inside my parents old station wagon, watching the rain obscure the outside world. They had left the heat on but my body remained ice as I took uneven gasps of air. My parents said everything was going to be fine. But parents lie, even at the age of five I knew something was amiss. Th...