Chapter 3

Daylight broke, and my stomach didn’t hurt anymore.

The metallic taste in my throat was gone too.

My body felt so light. I had turned into a mermaid bubble, just like in Mom’s fairy tales.

I floated out from under the blanket. It was so fun, I could see my own little bed.

The blanket was plump, and inside, a tiny me was still lying there.

Mom pushed the door open, annoyed.

“Willow, the sun’s already hitting your butt, get up! You need to go to kindergarten!”

I waved at her from the ceiling.

“Mom, I’m up! I’m right here!”

But she didn’t seem to hear or see me.

Mom’s face was filled with anger, glaring at the bulging blanket on the bed.

Dad also came, standing at the door with a sigh.

“Let her sleep a bit more. She didn’t look too well yesterday.”

Mom immediately turned and yelled at Dad,

“What do you mean ‘not well’? She’s just lazy, faking sick to skip school!”

“Look how good Holly is, she already got dressed herself!”

Holly skipped to the door and called out,

“Willow, you lazybones!”

I really wanted to tell Holly that I wasn’t lazy. I didn’t need to sleep anymore.

But they couldn't see me or hear me speak.

Mom angrily walked to the bed. I quickly floated down, wanting to hold her hand.

But my hand passed right through her arm.

She didn’t pull back the blanket to look, still muttering accusations.

“Sleeping like a pig, wrapped up so tight in your blanket.”

Mom picked up the empty water glass from my bedside table, then scoffed,

“The water’s all gone. Guess there’s nothing really wrong.”

I floated through the wall to the living room and saw Dad opening the door.

Mr. Miller poked his head in and asked,

“Where’s Willow? Why haven’t I heard anything from her today?”

Mom poked her head out from the kitchen.

“She was tired from playing yesterday. Can’t even wake her up.”

Mr. Miller seemed to sigh in relief and quickly left.

He must have been afraid I’d tell Mom and Dad about how he hurt me.

But, I won’t say anything now.

The sun shone in, but I didn't feel warm anymore; my body felt constantly cold.

In the living room, Mom and Dad were watching cartoons with Holly.

I leaned against the doorframe, watching them.

Dad glanced at my room.

“Willow hasn’t eaten all day. I’ll go wake her up.”

Mom immediately cut him off.

“She won’t die from skipping one meal. She’s just trying to manipulate you because she knows you’re soft-hearted.”

“She’s so manipulative at such a young age. Just ignore her. Let’s see how long she can actually sleep for!”

Holly mimicked Mom, waving her small hand:

“Willow, naughty!”

No one came to check on me.

Mom, I’m not naughty.

I really am awake.

See, I’ve been floating here for so, so long.

It’s just that me, the one lying in bed, she doesn't seem to want to wake up anymore.