Voices

c h a p t e r 9 : t h o u g h t s

L o u i s a

"Do you even notice me at all? It's like I'm invisible." - Invisible, Jason Chen

I am standing in the middle of a crowded room.

Looking at all the people rushing around me.

Pushing me around like I'm nobody.

Does anyone even see me or notice I am here?

Standing right in the middle.

It's like I'm invisible.

Fading into nothing.

*

I wake up that day with a jump; my phone ringing loud and clear, the shrill beeping sound causing me to have a headache. I've seriously got to remember to change my ringtone.

My hand reaches out to grab my phone off the bedside table, not bothering to look for the exact location of my phone. I bring it right in front of my eyes and check for notifications.

1 unread email

I groan in frustration. I had to be woken up in the morning by possibly the worse way known to mankind all because of an email. I unlock my phone and scan through the email.

From: riahallway77@hotmail.com

To: lousims2230@hotmail.com

Subject: HIYA

Hey there, my dear friend. I just wanted to ask how you are doing all the way in Westfields? Is it nice there? I heard the beaches are amazing. Have you even been out of the house?

I really hope you're doing fine, Lou. I haven't heard from you in a week and you haven't exactly been returning my calls and I'm getting kind of worried. I probably sound like some old grandmother right? Oops.

Anyway, I've got to get going now. I'll see you soon, girl.

I sigh dramatically, laughing at Ria's message. I exit my email and send a quick text to her.

I'm doing well. Well enough anyway. Also, who even still uses email? You could've just dropped me a text you know. You can use your phone for more than calling nowadays (I thought you'd have figured it out by now). - Lou

The reply comes almost immediately. Of course. What else would I have expected from her with her eyes glued to her phone screen all the time, except when she has people to talk to face-to-face.

I thought it'd seem cool. You don't have to follow the rules all the time, Lou. - Ria

I chuckle at her reply but decide to reply to it a little later. I get off the bed and decide to get ready, since I'm up already. I head towards the bathroom and brush my teeth and wash my face, just the sane plain old morning routine.

I grab my bag on the foot of my bed and stuff my phone in it and decide to head out.

"Aunt Annabelle, I'll be going out for a while," I tell her when I enter the kitchen.