With silent, haunted eyes,
Her gaze shifted from the mirror to the sink before her.
Her eyes studied the flawless black porcelain
As she struggled against the thoughts in her mind.
She absently ran a finger across the darkness.
Not even a single water spot marred its beauty.

Her life was so unlike the cool, smooth finish.
So much was expected from her,
So much that she'd never live up to.
She knew they were disappointed.
Their son,
Her brother,
Had been valedictorian,
While she had barely done enough to pass.

She was smart,
There was no questioning that,
But their constant inattention
Robbed her of her ability to care.

Her eyes sought out her own reflection once again.
She had chosen her look carefully this morning.
Her necklace rested lightly against her pale skin.
A simple, silver lace chain,
Accented with thirteen onyx beads.

She chewed at the soft skin of her lip,
Paying no attention when it split,
As she studied each of the beads.
She couldn't help but think they looked different,
Like thirteen burnt apple seeds,
Carelessly strung on tattered grey thread.

She continued the attack on her lip,
Ignoring the trickle of crimson,
Ignoring the pain.

Finally she gave in,
Closing her eyes and letting the barrier collapse,
She felt everything at once.
A single tear slipped down her cheek,
Joining the crimson trail,
And together they fell from her face.

She swallowed what would be her death
And stared into her own haunted eyes,
Awaiting the dark blanket of eternal rest,
As the crimson tear stained her dress of white velvet.

~080401~