part isn't

ing you're

eras are fake-just little black domes that don't blink, don't move. And I know where they keep the cash tray behind the co

my backpack in case anyone asks why I'm standing across the

for answers. I'm wa

an's s

One of those moments where everyo

r and your hands won't stop shaking, even sim

ingles whe

plastic and ov

year or two older than me. She's scro

f water. A snack bar. All small. All slippable into the li

loud I think s

my pocket, my hand brushes the e

look

u g

cracks. "Yeah.

oes back to

and a can of soda in front of her. Pay with a dollar

sn't ev

ood one,"

mutter.

e a slap. My legs go weak. I duck behind the du

worth of food

el s

n't cry. I just sit there,

irst real lie. Not a white

shb

from you first. If it does, you take someth

ught it was just o

m not s

arm ramen for the f

ed. Real steam cur

ust because it makes the apartment feel less

last piece of clean

3 da

: Sti

y: $

e:

t into my journal li

eck the p

o word

o the gas station. Buy a prepaid phone card

ne. A shelter. A h

I do

t

the first lie,

mean they don't c

to stay alive, you lose a p

hat's t

can af