Chapter 3

When morning came, my stomach didn't hurt anymore.

That metallic taste in my throat was gone too.

My body felt so light. I'd become a bubble, just like in Mom's fairy tales.

I floated out of the blanket. It was so much fun; I could see my own little bed.

The blanket was puffed up, and a small me was still lying inside.

Mom pushed open the door, displeased.

"Lily, the sun's high, and you're still not up! You need to go to preschool!"

I waved at her from the ceiling. "Mom, I'm up! I'm right here!"

But she couldn't hear me, couldn't see me.

Mom's face was angry, glaring at the lumped-up blanket on the bed.

Dad came too, sighing by the doorway.

"Let her sleep a bit longer. She seemed unwell yesterday."

Mom turned and yelled at Dad. "Unwell? She's just lazy, faking illness to avoid school."

"Look how well-behaved Leo is, he dressed himself already!"

Leo bounced to the door and shouted, "Lily the big lazy bug!"

I wanted to tell Leo I wasn't a lazy bug. I didn't need to sleep now.

But they couldn't see me, couldn't hear me talk.

Mom angrily walked to the bed. I quickly floated down, wanting to hold her hand.

But my hand passed right through her arm.

She didn't pull back the blanket to look, still grumbling:

"Such a messy sleeper, wrapped up so tight."

Mom took the empty water glass from my nightstand, snorting.

"All the water's gone, so she must be fine."

I floated through the wall to the living room and saw Dad opening the door.

Mr. Peterson poked his head in, asking, "Where's Lily? She's quiet today."

Mom poked her head out from the kitchen. "She played too hard yesterday, can't even wake her up."

Mr. Peterson seemed to let out a sigh of relief and quickly left.

He must have been afraid I'd tell Mom and Dad about him hurting me.

But, I won't say anything now.

The sunlight streamed in, but I couldn't feel its warmth anymore. My body felt continuously cold.

In the living room, Mom and Dad were watching cartoons with Leo.

I hovered by the doorframe, watching them.

Dad glanced towards my room. "Lily hasn't eaten all day. I'll go wake her up."

Mom immediately cut him off.

"One missed meal won't kill her! She's just playing on your soft heart, trying to manipulate you."

"She's so manipulative at such a young age. Don't mind her. Let's see how long she can sleep!"

Leo mimicked Mom, waving his little hand. "Lily, not good!"

No one came to check on me.

Mom, I wasn't being bad.

I really was awake.

Look, I've been floating here for so long.

It's just the me lying in bed, he doesn't seem to want to wake up anymore.