Hello My Name Is...

Nellie

Dearest Journal <3,
Celest tells me I should start keeping a journal so the nice men in white coats understand what is going through my mind. I don't know why they need to know or why I need to write it down. If they wanted to know, I could have just told them. It's usually just rainbows and presents and friends anyway.

I don't think the white coated men are my friends. This upsets me because I like making friends. Celest says she's taking me somewhere where I can make lots of friends. I would be excited except she had "the look" on her face again which meant I was confusing. I don't mean to confuse her. I don't even know how I do it. Most of the time she confuses me.
So anyway, the car ride here was awkward and tense. Celest wouldn't even look at me. She was gripping the steering wheel tightly and looking everywhere and nowhere at the same time. I think whatever was bothering her went away, though because when we got out of the car, she had her bright happy smile on as she greeted the white coats.

I trailed behind Celest. I remember feeling like a little fairy in the dress that I picked to meet my new friends. I skipped down the aisle gleefully. There were such pretty flowers and bushes and trees in front of the building. I didn't know where we were because the sign was nowhere in sight. I just knew that I would make friends and the white coats are in charge. Celest is dragging a suitcase behind her. Her tan hand clenched it tightly. Her long, dirty blonde hair would be swaying back and fourth if it wasn't for the tight bun that pulled it up. Her heels made pretty sounds when they hit the ground as she walked with determination like always.

The suitcase is big. I bet I could fit in it if I tried. I liked watching the wheels roll smoothly against the pavement. I looked at the size of the suitcase again. It is big. Bigger than the suitcase Celest rolls around her office all day. It's big enough to fit supply for a couple days. I guess we're going to be here overnight.

We followed one of the white coats through a long wide hallway and into an office. There is a big man behind a beautifully crafted desk in the center of the room. I think he was waited for us. His smile was very welcoming and his eyes sparked with joy. Why was he so happy to see us? His dark skin glistened in the sunlight that was streaming through his window. His straight teeth were shining with a white that could burn eyes. I don't think I like this man. I think his appearance is too perfect for his personality to be the same. He speaks in a deep yet oddly bright.

"Ms. Peters, I'm so glad you're here! Take a seat and we can get started right away with Ms. Annabel," his voice is cheerfully masculine. I was confused. Where is Annabel? Why am I here if he wants to speak with her? How does he even know Annabel?
"How do you know Annabel?" Annabel is my best friend. She would have told me if she knew the white coats, too, right? Although, I haven't told her I knew the white coats.
"Aren't you Annabel?" That man must have not thought very good. That's probably why he doesn't have a white coat.

"I'm Nellie." The man looked even more confused than before. He turned to Celest and then to the files on his desk.

"Dissociative Personality Disorder..." He started mumbling a whole bunch of big words as he reads. Celest suddenly started to speak.

"She was diagnosed when she was 14. I think only one of her personalities know, though." I was even more confused. What was going on? Who was diagnosed at 14? It couldn't have been me, right? I just turn 14 a little less than 2 months ago. They couldn't have diagnosed me that fast. What would they even have to diagnose?

"Right. So, Nellie, why don't we find your room and you can unpack your things." I think this is a hotel or something. The office we're in could be a reception desk.

"When will I get to meet my new friends?" I don't see how unpacking and meeting friends fit together. The man gestures to the white coat that walked us in with his hand.

"Well, this is Dr. Schimt. He is going to show you to your room and help you unpack while I talk to your social worker. After that, you'll say goodbye to Ms. Peters and Dr. Schimt will guide you to the recipient room. Your new friends will be there."

"Why would I say goodbye to Celest? I don't want her to leave." Celest pits a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"Sweetie, you're sick. You're staying here so the doctors can make you feel better. I can't stay because I'm not sick." Her voice is understanding, but I don't get what she's saying.

"I feel fine." Tears well up in my eyes and my voice cracks. Celest smiles softly and kisses my forehead.
"Go on with Dr. Schimt, Nel. I'll explain later."

My body moves without my consent and suddenly I'm back in the hallway on my way to the dorm - like rooms. I don't like this place.

Word count; 919