Chapter 1

My blood stained the freshly mopped floor again.

My mother's scream came before my whimper.

"Lily! How many times have I told you? Don't scratch! Don't let those disgusting fluids get everywhere!"

She pointed the Lysol spray at me, treating me like I was some biohazard.

I curled up on the floor in pain, sobbing softly.

"Mom, it itches... I can't help it..."

"If you can't help it, get the hell out!"

To keep her from getting mad, I hid all the creams the doctor prescribed.

Those greasy ointments would stain the sheets, and that would drive her crazy.

Today was my seventh birthday.

I used the pocket money I had saved for three years to buy her a whole box of her favorite Clorox bleach as a gift.

I held the box, looking up at her with hope.

"Mom, it's my birthday... My only wish is for you to hug me. Just once."

She looked at my raw, oozing arms, her face turning pale with disgust.

"Get away! Don't touch my gift with your filthy hands!"

She kicked the box right out of my hands.

The bottles shattered everywhere. The clear liquid soaked right through my thin dress.

At that moment, I finally realized that in this spotless house, I was the only piece of trash.