• "DETENTION FOR FIVE MONTHS? Gosh, Carrie, what did you do?" Mary demanded.
    Carrie stared at her feet. "I splashed permanent red paint on my classmate's silver car."
    Mary gaped at her daughter. "Honestly, Carrie, i don't know what to do with you. Why do you keep on getting yourself in trouble."
    "Because it's fun," Carrie said, glaring at her mother.
    "Carrie, honey, stop it. You know it's no good for you. Be like your sister, Tasha."
    Carrie's teeth clamped together.
    "Oh sure, i have to be like perfect Tasha! The pretty, sexy and brilliant Tasha!"
    Mary stared at her in disbelief. "Don't tell me you're jealous of your sister!"
    "How couldn't I? Everyone loves her. Everyone adores her. Everyone knows she exists, and everyone doesn't know i don't! You don't care about me!" Carrie said through her tears.
    "How could you say that? You know i love you!"
    Carrie scowled at her and ran out through the front door.
    "Yeah, right," she muttered. "She's lying. Of course she doesn't love me. No one does."
    She then went into a nearby store and bought a box of cigarettes. It wasn't her first time to do so. She was used to it, including drugs and lots and lots of wine. But in a less than an hour, she has finished the box.
    "I want more," she demanded the store clerk. The store clerk immediately gave another box to her.
    And so, Carrie spent the night smoking and roaming around the city. She fell asleep at midnight, at the neighbor's lawn. And then, as she was sleeping, she heard a voice.
    "What have you done to yourself, Carrie? Why did you bring this to yourself? Everyone has hardships. Don't do this."
    The voice was so pretty and melodic. Carrie wanted to hear it again.
    "Go back home, Carrie. Do it for your mother. She's worried sick."
    "No," i won't," Carrie mumbled. "And of course, she's not worried."
    "People love you, Carrie. Go."
    "No."
    "Please. Do it for everyone. Do it for your mother. For you sister. For your father. Do it for the people who love you."
    "There isn't anyone in the world who loves me."
    "Yes, there is. I do."
    Who are you?" Carrie demanded.
    "I....am...." The voice was suddenly gone and Carrie woke up all of a sudden. Without a second thought, she ran over to her house and rang the doorbell many times. Her frightened mother opened it and she hugged her.
    "I'm sorry, Mom," Carrie apologized.
    "It's okay, i forgive you," Mary said.
    "Mom, i don't know if you will..."
    "What? Why?"
    Carrie then told her mother of her addiction. Mary sobbed.
    "I'm sorry, Mom," Carrie repeated.
    "I'm the one who's supposed to be sorry, Carrie. I brought this to you. Don't worry, we'll fix this."
    "And, um, Mom, there was something else," Carrie said reluctantly. Her mom might think she's crazy.
    "Yes?"
    "Well, while i was sleeping,i heard a melodic voice talking to me. It told me to go back home. And...it said it loves me...who do you think was it?"
    Mary just smiled. "Who do you think?"
    Carrie stared at her mother, confused.
    "Oh!" Carrie exclaimed.
    Mary nodded, and smiled.