It wasn’t the rush of traffic right outside her apartment or the sound of the heater (that didn’t really have any heat, just made a ton of noise) that was keeping Chloe awake. No, it was her parents, fighting again. Chloe sighed, what was it even about this time? The fact that her mother was drifting away, that her father just didn’t seem to care anymore or how the rent was harder and harder to pay each month. Her parents seemed to only ever fight at night. Did they think it would be better if Chloe didn’t have to see them fight? But with the thin walls in their apartment, it didn’t make any difference.

Chloe covered herself with the blanket. It wasn’t very warm, but it was like a shield protecting her from the noise outside, from her parents. Chloe closed her eyes, trying to go to sleep, but it was no use. She just couldn’t.

If I had better parents, this wouldn’t be happening, she thought bitterly, glaring at the door. Why can’t I live with the perfect family? I would have a mom and dad who loved each other. Chloe sighed, and snuggled comfortably in the blankets, yes her imagination would have to do. If I had the perfect family, we would live in a big house in…. the country side. I could have my own pony. My pony would be chestnut with a white streak running down its muzzle, and I would name her…..Lily. I would also have dogs, and cats and maybe some hamsters. Hmmm… I wouldn’t want to be alone, so maybe a sister and a brother. But they would be fun. Not annoying like my friend Jake’s.

Chloe smiled slightly, drifting away into her secret world, with the perfect family and the perfect life. In this world of hers, she would have everything and then she could be happy and then she would be perfect.