Chapter 2

My mother had called 911 after I had passed out, and they sent an ambulance to my house. I insisted I was fine, and that they needed to help Lacey. I got strange looks, and my mother came over and patted my hand.

“Lacey is perfectly fine, honey. She didn’t need any help when we went over there. You’re the one who needs some help, Em. Your all banged up.”

Did she just say that Lacey was perfectly fine?

“No, Mom, you don’t understand. Lacey is far from fine. She…” I didn’t want to rat out my best friend, but I wanted to help her. “She…Um. She’s the one who did this.” I looked down, ashamed.

“What?!” My mother loved Lacey like a daughter. She practically was her daughter seeing as how her own mother was never around.

“Yeah. That’s why I think she needs help. I didn’t understand, it was so unlike her…” I wasn’t about to go into details, I just wanted to forget.

“Oh dear. Looks, like we’ll be taking Lacey with us to the hospital.”

My mother sent Lacey to a psychologist to get her checked out. After a few sessions, she was diagnosed with Multiple Personality Disorder. That explained who Roxy Slaine was. It turns out that she was a very angry child, but kept that emotion bottled up inside. She had no one to talk to about it. Her mother was never there for her, and when she abused her, Lacey got angrier each time. This last time, Lacey had finally taken enough and-lucky me-I was the one closest to her when it happened.

So, my Mom watched Lacey, and tried to talk to her mother about it. Nothing really helped. I still played with Lacey, but at my house, so my parents could keep an eye on her. We kept her from getting angry as much as possible, and made her talk about her emotions. Most of the time this strategy worked, and she only switched personalities a few times.

Lacey Birmingham was the quiet, loving, caring, kind girl we knew. Roxy Slaine was the exact opposite. She was loud, cruel, rude, abusive, and constantly furious. I hated Roxy with all my heart. She was dangerous to be around, especially with no parents.

The sad thing was that I was always around when they switched, and even worse, Lacey could never remember a single thing.

The years went by, and the switching came frequently as we turned into teenagers. I was sick of her now. Not just Roxy, but Lacey as a whole. I was forced to be friends with her simply because she had no others. No one else understood her. I didn’t care. I just wanted her to leave me alone.

I had scars from the brutal beatings of Roxy. I remember one time, when I was thirteen, she tripped over my foot while we were running around. She immediately switched on me right there.

“Oh, well look. If it isn’t Emery. Look’s like I’m going to have to kick your ass yet again.”

“No Roxy. You won’t.”

She stared me down and charged, pushing me with all her might. I fell hard to the ground and she pounced, sat on my chest and repeatedly punched me in the face. Her fury built up; each punch was harder than the last. I had no one around to help me, to pull her off. I heard a loud crack and just like that my nose was broken. Blood ran down and over my lips. I tasted it in my mouth, and that infuriated me.

I used all my strength to grab her fist and bite her hard in the arm. She shrieked, and rolled off of me. I looked over at her arm. It was bleeding. Good. I rose shakily, and Roxy tried to come in for another attack.

“YOU LITTLE WENCH! HOW DARE YOU FIGHT BACK!” She was not used to being competed against, just winning.

She charged again, both fist flailing, and I ducked and punched. I was able to strike her in her side and knock all the wind out of her. She sank to her hands and knees, and in my fury I landed a kick to her side. She lay on her stomach, whimpering and tired. I sat down next to her as well, spitting blood every now and then.

I stayed with her until my Lacey returned, and then we had gone home to clean up. It was one of our worst fights ever.

We don’t physically fight as much. It’s mostly arguments. In school, Lacey stuck by my side, and because of that, I couldn’t have many other friends. Well, not with her near me anyway. I talked to everyone in the classes I didn’t have with her. She was avoided at school-her disorder broke out in class too, and once news got around to everyone, no one talked to her anymore. I would have stopped as well, but my Mom wouldn’t allow it.

My 16th birthday was just 1 day away, and I had the party all planned. The invitations were sent out; all 60 of them. The whole party was going to be in a Moulin Rouge theme, and everyone had to wear red, black or white. It was to be hosted in the building behind my house, and it was going to be big. Today me and my parents were going to setup the decorations after school. I was so excited.

Lacey met me at my locker at the end of the day-ugh thank god it‘s Friday-and walked with me to the bus. I had to sit with her on there too.

“Happy early birthday, Emery!” she chanted. “Only one more day to go until your big party. Aren’t you excited?”

Here’s the thing. As much as I couldn’t stand her, Lacey was still my friend, and she didn’t know how I felt about her. She thought we were best friends, and that made her happy.

“Yeah, and thanks.” was all I could manage. Anything else might be rude. I had to invite her against my own will. Actually, it was my mother who extended the invite to her, and planned for us to go party dress shopping together! As oblivious as Lacey was, my mom knew how I felt! I remembered the fight me and my Mom had…

“Mom! I do not want Lacey to come to my party!” I screamed.

She was confused. “But hun, she’s your best friend.”

“God, Mom. I wish you would stop saying that. She’s not! I can’t stand her!”

“Emery Rosealia Ports! You know that-”

“I’m the only friend she has…yeah I’ve heard it all before. But you don’t understand! I don’t want her to ruin one of the most important parties for me! She’ll change, or something, or all the guests will find out she’s here and not want to come anymore.” I imagined the horror inside my head

“This conversation is over. Lacey is coming. And you know what? I suggested she go dress shopping with you, too. Now you’re definitely going with her.”

“God, I hate you! You force me to be friends with her, force her company on me, and now she’s going to ruin my party! When are you going to see that Lacey’s issue is her own, not mine? She’s not even your daughter, I am!”

“I love her like my daughter, Emery!”

“You love her more than me either way! Some mother you are! Well let me tell you your doing one hell of a job!” I shouted.

“YOU WILL NOT TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!” My mother never ever yelled, and this was one of the few times I’ve heard her do so.

“I will talk to you however I please! I bet Lacey wouldn’t do that! Damn it, Mom, this is so unfair!”

Lacey spoke then, snapping me out of my memory. “Ready for some dress shopping tonight?”

I actually looked at her for the first time and saw how happy she was. Great. “Lacey, me and my parents are decorating the building today. We’ll go tomorrow.” I’d rather we didn’t go at all…

“No, your Mom said for us to go today, and her and your father will decorate. She called me earlier.”

“Oh. Well yeah, I guess.”

“Cool! I’m so excited!”

Even though I didn’t listen, she talked to me the rest of the way home. Her house was a down the street from mine, so she got off before me. “Bye, Emery! See you in 10!”

I rolled my eyes. Yeah, sounds like fun I thought to myself. A voice spoke from behind me and I jumped. “I’m so excited for your party, you know.”

I looked back to see that it was Craig.

I blushed. Craig was this guy I really liked. He was my friend-for now-so I invited him to the party. Hopefully, the party would turn the odds in my favor, and he would be more than just a friend. I wondered if he hoped the same thing.

Craig had bright green eyes that had a ring of gray around them. They were no doubt some of the prettiest eyes I’d even seen. He had dark brown hair that fell just over his forehead and ears, and he had a perfect tan. He was a very good looking kid.

“Oh, me too. Are you coming?”

“Of course I am. Wouldn’t miss it for the world!” I smiled and my heart leaped inside my chest. This could go well.

“Cool.” I said smoothly.

“Wait, is that crazy Lacey girl coming? I know your friends with her.”

As soon as the sentence came out of his mouth. My heart stopped jumping, and turned black with hate towards Lacey. I knew this would happen.

“Uhh…yeah. My mom invited her. And we’re not really friends, I’m just forced to be with her.

“That sucks. But I think this is your stop, so I’ll let you go.” The bus screeched to a halt, and I waved goodbye and hopped off.

I went inside and got ready to go shopping. I quickly changed my clothes and grabbed my purse. The doorbell rang then and I exaggerated a sigh and went down the stairs.