After exiting the restroom, Eliah got bak to her work at the restaurant. She served customers quickly and efficiently. She made sure they were happy, because it made her happy.

"Thank you for coming," she said cheerfully. "How are you?"

"Good," one of them answered. "And you?"

"I'm great," she said. "Thanks for asking."

She smiled at him. She waited on them patiently. She took their orders and brought them their food.

Then she was interrupted by one of her coworkers Lizzie.

"Hey Eliah!" she called out. "What happened to your face? Are you okay? Did something happen?"

"Oh, no," she said. "Nothing happened. I just got some new makeup on my face."

"Really?" Lizzie asked. "Is that all?"

"Yeah," she said. "It's nothing."

"Are you sure?" Lizzie asked. "I mean, your face looks out of it somehow. I can't really put it into words, though."

"It's not a big deal," she insisted. "Just a little makeup."

Lizzie frowned. She looked at Eliah suspiciously. She didn't understand what was going on. She couldn't figure out what was wrong with her friend from work. She didn't like it. She didn't like the way she was acting. She wanted to help her but she didn't know how.

"You're looking pale today," she said. "You should take a break. Go outside for some fresh air. Take a walk around the block. Get some exercise. It would do you good. I will tell the boss. It's just a few days when you were sick, after all."

"Thanks for the advice," she said. "Maybe I will later."

"You're welcome," Lizzie said. "Take care."

"See you later," Eliah replied.

Eliah continued serving customers with all her might. She kept smiling and being cheerful.

After that she thanked her coworkers and left the restaurant. She walked along the sidewalk. She passed by the park. She saw kids playing on swings and slides. She watched them laugh and play. She felt jealous. She wished she could be young again. She wanted to run and jump and swing. She wanted to climb trees and play tag. She wanted to be a kid again. She wanted to feel alive. She wanted to be free. She wanted to be innocent and fun.

Then she shook her head with denial. She wanted to shake off those thoughts.

"No. I'm not like that," she said. "I'm different. I'm strong. I'm confident. I'm not a child anymore. I don't want to act like a kid. I don't want to be childish. I hate it. I'm not like them. I don't belong there. I'm so mature and responsible. I know how to behave."

She kept walking. She was determined to forget about her childhood. She was determined to stay focused on her future. She had a plan. She was going to make things work. She was going to succeed.

"I can do anything!" she cheered. "I am unstoppable. I am wonderful! I am worthy of love!"

She was walking fast. Faster and faster.

"I am the best employee ever!" she yelled ou loud. "Nobody can beat me!"

She crossed the street and got into her car. She started driving. She turned on the radio and listened to music loudly. She sang along with the song. She was happy. She was singing loud and clear.

"I am wonderful! I am incredible!"

She glanced in the rearview mirror and the reflection in the mirror looked at her with disgust.

"Why are you so obsessed with yourself?" it asked. "Don't you know you're nothing? Pretending to be so proper and obedient and helpful isn't going to change that. Do you like their attention and prize so much? Is it worth it? Why do you have to be so fake? Aren't you tired? Isn't it exhausting to pretend to be someone else? Haven't you had enough? Don't you need a break?"

"I don't!" She said defiantly. "I'm fine. Everything is great!"

The mirror spoke again.

"Stop being a fool!" it said. "Your life is falling apart. Your job is terrible. You don't belong there. You aren't needed there. You have no value there. No one cares about you. The only thing they want from you is your obedience. That's all they want from you. They use you and abuse you like a toy. They don't respect you."

"I'm not listening to you! I don't care what you say!" she yelled angrily. "I'm the best! I'm the best at what I do! I'm the best employee ever!"

"You're a fool," the mirror replied. "Such a disappointing and pathetic loser."

"Shut up!" she screamed. "I'm not a loser. I'm not a loser! I'm not a loser!"

She sped up her car and tried to drive away. She drove too fast. She almost hit a pedestrian.

"Aaah! Aaaah! Oh God!" she screamed. "Oh, no!"

She slammed on the brakes. She swerved to avoid hitting him. Then she stopped her car in the middle of the road. She was shaking. She was terrified. She was in shock. She couldn't believe what just happened.

"Oh, no," she said. "Oh, no."

Eliah got out of the car and ran toward him with woobly legs. Fortunately, he was alright.

"How are you driving? Are you blind?" The man yelled at angrily. "What's wrong with you?"

"Sorry," she apologized. "I didn't mean too."

He stared at her with anger. He grabbed her shoulders and shook her violently.

"Aaah! Please, I'm sorry!" She begged him. "Please stop. I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

"You better watch out," he warned her. "Driving this recklessly, stupid bitch."

He yanked her arm and pushed her to the ground. Then he left in a fit of anger. She lay there on the sidewalk, stunned. She was trembling and shaking. Her heart was beating wildly. She was confused and afraid. She couldn't think straight.

"Why did that happen?" she asked herself. "Why did that happen?"

She stayed there on the sidewalk for a while until she could get up and walk. Then she got back into her car and the pills from her purse fell onto the floor. She picked them up and took them with trembling hands. She swallowed them down.

They made her feel better. She felt calm. She relaxed. She knew what she had to do.

"I have to leave now," she decided. "I have to go home. It's alright. I'm going to be okay. I'm going to be safe. You are going to be okay, Eliah."

Her mind was clear.

She started driving again. She drove through town and headed back to her apartment.

***