Page 57 of A Pretty Fixation

My body begins to sink deeper and deeper. I’mflowing through nothingness, searching.

A breath shoots out of me as my feet hit theground. I steady myself and look around. A sea of trees surrounds me. I’ve beenhere before as a kid. It’s a familiar sense of peace.

“Are you in the forest, Jordyn?” Dr. Sharma’svoice echoes, along with the ticking of the pendulum swing.

“Yes,” I murmur.

“Do you see the trail?”

I wheel around, spotting a path that leads throughthe trees. “Yes.”

“Good. Follow it until you reach the door.”

Staying calm, I begin walking, slowing to a stopwhen the wooden door becomes visible. “I see it.”

“Now, focus on the foster home, and only on thattime. Open the door when you’re ready.”

I take a long deep breath, think of Caleb and thattime in my life, then twist the knob and enter.

Blinding light engulfs me.

My hands fly up to shield my eyes.

When the light finally clears, I observe mysurroundings.

I’m standing in a hallway. I hear the voices ofchildren downstairs. They sound happy.

There’s so much kindness in this place.

Something brought me up here.

I walk towards an opened door and peek into theroom.

A boy with sandy blonde hair is on the floor, anda girl is next to him. Her hair is soft brown like mine, dangling on hershoulders.

They’re playing a card game and laughing.

Am I looking at myself? Is this a memory withCaleb?

Why do I feel jealous? I have the sense that I’mhiding, spying on them.

“I won,” she yells excitedly.

“I let you win,” Caleb grumbles. I see not muchhas changed.

She pouts, and he holds her hand. Resentmentcloaks my body instantly.

“Fine. I’m just joking.” He bumps her, and theylaugh.

Sadness erupts in my chest.

I wish he’d laugh for me.

“No more,” he says. “I’m starving.”

“All right. Let’s eat. Ah!” Her brown eyes expand.“I almost forgot. Mrs. Anders is making meatballs tonight.”

They jump up from the floor excitedly, and Iquicken out of sight and dash into another room, peeking at them as they rundown the hallway.

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