"You're kidding."

Mom sighed and pulled several glasses from the boxes sitting on the table. Boxes were littered all over the house to be unpacked. The move wasn't abrupt but I had no idea just quite what it would turn into. I never would have guessed it either.

"It's not going to be as bad as you think, Lyla."

"I find that hard to believe."

"Don't turn it down until you try it."

I rolled my eyes. "I can't believe this. You actually want me to give it a chance?"

She turned around to face me. "Lyla, this is what the rules are here. We have to follow them."

"Or what? They'll kick us out? Would that be the worst thing?"

"We moved here because the jobs are easier to find. It's hard out there, sweetie."

"This isn't fair. How can you do this to me?"

"We're not trying to ruin your life. We want to help you just as much as we want to help ourselves. This is our livelihood."

I got up from the table, intending to storm from the room. "I didn't ask for this."

- - -

Mom walked into the room and signed upon seeing me sitting on the floor. "You need to get used to sleeping in your bed."

"I'm not a baby."

She knelt down in front of me and picked up a nearby blanket to smooth out and fold. "You're not a baby, sweetie. There are just rules you have to follow here until you're old enough."

I rolled my eyes.

She set the folded blanket down beside her. "Do you want me to stay in here until you fall asleep?"

"I want to go home."

She brushed the hair away from my face. "This is our home now. Just give it a chance."

My eyes started to well but I didn't want to show that I was crying. I quickly brushed the saltwater away.

Mom pulled me into her chest and hugged me for a few seconds. Then she stood up and went to the dresser that sat by the closet.

"Mom, please."

She pulled out a pink and white diaper and a bottle of baby powder. "The school wants you to be comfortable wearing these. There's no bathroom for you to use."

"M-mom..."

She knelt down in front of me. "Lay down, sweetie."

I choked back a sob and fully started crying at that point. I wasn't okay with any of it. Wearing a diaper was what babies did. Not fifteen-year-olds.

Mom started pulling my sweatpants down my legs, exposing my pale skin and purple underwear. I absolutely hated the thought of wearing a diaper and having to use them. It was demeaning and degrading. Why couldn't mom understand that?

I rubbed my eyes as mom put my underwear aside. She opened up the diaper and slid it under my legs. Then she covered my skin with powder before taping the diaper together around my legs.

"I don't want you trying to use the bathroom tonight, okay? That's what the diapers are for."

"I-I can't..." I whispered, trying to stay as still as possible. If I didn't move, I wouldn't hear the crinkle of the material.

Mom wiped my face and kissed my forehead. "It'll be okay, honey. You'll get used to this. I promise."

Never. I would never get used to it.

She took my hand and pulled me to my feet. "Lay down and try to get some sleep."

I sniffed and laid down on the bed. The mattress was comfortable and the sheets were soft. The top blanket was one from our old home, our old life. I needed something familiar when everything was so new.

"Goodnight, sweetheart."