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need for sleep. Who knew such small pills made such a huge impact on everything?
    Swallowing the pills I grimace, I hate swallowing pills. I no longer check the amount of pills I should take, instead just toss them in my mouth swirling them around before swallowing them with water. It wouldn’t be the end of the world to me if I took too many and didn’t wake up.
    Switching on the small TV across from the bed I don’t even bother taking my clothes off and lay on top of the comforter watching the glow from the TV and waiting for the pills to take effect. Minutes later, my body sinks into a restless sleep. Pills can’t even keep the nightmares away.
    The shrill sound of sirens somewhere in the neighborhood brings me back to the scene of the accident where I am again watching it unfold. The squealing of the brakes right before impact is so loud and I had no time to brace for the impact. The airbags popped out like they were supposed to the side ones knocking into my head making it slam to the side. The glass explodes around us in slow motion, time seems to stand still as I watch it rain down on me.
    I can smell the blood, the copper filling my nostrils. I’m not sure how long it took the ambulance to get to us being that I was in and out of consciousness but I clearly remember opening my eyes and not understanding why my sister was pushed up limp next to me or why my mom wouldn’t answer my cries. I distinctly remember seeing the glass in my skin only I felt no pain. It was as if I was hearing everything underwater and I was drowning. How can I live after something like this?

Chapter Seven
     
    Waking up in a strange room is always weird. Looking around at the unfamiliar furniture and my bags it all quickly comes back to me. I feel around for my phone to check the time, fumbled and drop it twice before managing to keep hold of it so I can see the time. Throwing my head back down on the pillow it’s only seven am, way too early to be awake. Groaning, I pull the covers over my face, letting the darkness of the blankets lull me back to sleep. I have no urge at all to get out of the bed and talk to people or even be human at the moment.
     
     
    ***
     
     
    Stretching I push the covers off my head and see the sun is shining brightly in my face, I take in the room I’ve been stashed in. It’s plain and white but it does have a pretty cool window seat. Glancing at my phone I see it’s already one o’clock. Hearing some strange noises coming from somewhere in the house I grab the crutches and hobble into the hallway,, not even bothering to slow down to change out of my pajama’s. I’m not sure  what I expect to see but I wasn’t expecting Jenny,, Andrew and several guys my age in the kitchen all splayed out.
    The smell of sweat and male body odor hits me and I go to cover my nose against the foul smell and fail to see the football gear sitting on the floor when my crutch hits it. Falling backward I close my eyes and wince expecting to hit the floor only I never reach it, instead  warm arms wrap around me and pull me back up.
    My eyes are still closed and my long hair is covering my face. With my face feeling like it’s on fire I quickly right myself, get my crutches and head down the hall. I don’t want to be here. My melancholy mood is wearing me down, hell I can’t even walk properly anymore.  Stumbling into my room I hit the wall screaming inside. I’m not used to making a fool of myself. It’s a new and unwelcome feeling.
    It’s one thing to look like a freak , busting into the kitchen on crutches but another to totally embarrass myself in front of people I have to live with. Sitting down on the bed I put my hands to my scarlet cheeks to cool them off. A knock on the door interrupts my black thoughts. The door opens, and in walks Jenny carrying a plate piled high with steaming food and a glass of orange juice.
    “I figured you might want me to bring you some,” she says walking over placing the orange