Me at 5's Arc

Chapter 1 of 4

I sit on the floor near the wall where nobody steps. My brother is two and my sister is three. They need things. They cry and someone comes. They want things and someone brings them. I learned how to be quiet instead. Being normal means being the one they forget about. The playpen takes up half the room now. It has bright colors on all sides. My brother stands inside it and shakes the mesh when he wants out. Someone always comes to get him. I used to sit in that spot by the window. Now the playpen sits there and I sit here by the wall. My doll is on the floor near my sister. She has brown hair like mine. The doll, I mean. My sister pulled her from my hands this morning and I let go. I didn't want my face to get hot from all the voices that would come if I held on. The doll stares at the ceiling. My sister already forgot about her and went to play with blocks. I move closer to the bookshelf in the corner. The bottom shelf is empty. I can fit behind it if I make myself small. I pull my knees up and press my back against the wall. From here I can see everyone but they have to look hard to see me. My brother cries. My sister drops a block. Footsteps come into the room and walk right past the bookshelf. Nobody says my name. This is what normal feels like.