Summary
This story is about a young teenager who goes by the name of Emma Marie. Her life is stuck between the world, Christianity and living with depression. The young girl has just turned 18 and is ready to explore beyond the four walls of religion. But what is stopping her? Her family and beliefs are stopping her. Living with her older sister Tawny and Brother In-law Phillip, has helped her think about the future and have given her motivation to move forward. She starts a new year at Maine State High School and meets someone who just so happens to be her teacher. Mrs Regina Mills. Mrs Mills is not your ordinary teacher. Behind the smiles and excitement, she hides something dark. Something that is yet to be discovered by Emma Marie. Emma and Mrs Mills form quite an unusual relationship over the months of knowing each other. But as the story progresses, we see the young lady open up her mind to a whole different world she lives in, with the help of Mrs Mills. By the end of the year, hopefully, everything should be in place in hope of finding their happy ending.
Introduction
Living with depression is like living with a shadow that is constantly following your every moment. Every step. Everything. At the age of seventeen I was diagnosed with depression. I didn't know what to do or what it was. So i went to my school counselor to seek help and I found it. Now, I am eighteen, I have only known about this for a short time and i'm slowly beginning to get better. I have three older sisters,Tawny who is 28 and Married to Phillip, Lavinia who is 26 and Jodie who is 23. I live with Tawny and Phillip. I've been with them for two years. It's been a very hard time trying to adapt to new surroundings, getting back into school life and socializing. But trust me, i have learned so much over the past two years, from formal greetings to tidying my room. Even the smallest chores help you learn new skills. My life growing up has been quite a struggle. From growing up overweight for my age, to moving schools, to being bullied, to sexual abuse, and even trying to keep up with the social change in society. My life, as a teenager in Christianity has caused me to rebel, disobey and do church things all at the same time. But no one, besides Tawny and Phillip, has ever tried to help me. Although living with them and living a christian life, has helped me balance things a bit, It has also changed my view on the world.
Chapter One
The morning was warm and the air was fresh. "Today is going to be a good day" I whispered to myself. I flung open my blankets and warm air gushed onto my belly like a tidal wave. I sat up, got out of bed and walked over to get the keys for the house. I slipped my slippers on and walked out of my bedroom. I went into the bathroom and washed all the sleep out of my eyes and brushed my teeth till my breath no longer smelt of foul odor. I walked out to Phillip, greeting me with "Good Morning Babe. The principal called and said you start school today." A smile rose on my face and I began to cheer. "Finally. It's been too long since I have been out of school." I went back to my room, got my new uniform and polished shoes out of the wardrobe and found myself some clean undies and socks and headed to the shower. I was so excited. I got into the shower while it was cold. I shivered with nervousness as the cold began to wrap its arms around me. I washed my hair, washed my body and stepped out of the shower.
I quickly got changed and went back into my room. I made my bed and slipped my perfectly polished leather made shoes on over my white socks and went into the kitchen where Mum aka Tawny and Dad aka Phillip where sitting. "You look awesome in your uniform Dear." Tawny said politely as she handed my lunch to me. I replied "Thank you" and gave her a warm yet nervous looking smile. I grabbed an apple on the go and kissed my parents goodbye as I took off to school.
I went to the office to meet my Dean. He was a tall, fair looking man who had a beard that looked like a cactus plant. His name was Mr Nolan. He greeted me and gave me my timetable. I had no idea where I was going, so I asked him to take me.
We walked down one very long corridor, turned left and stopped outside a door. "Are you ready?" Mr Nolan asked me. I said "Sure am Sir." He smiled and and we both walked in. The first person that caught my eyes was a beautiful brunette lady sitting at a desk wearing a perfect shade of purple reading glasses and dark red lipstick. I immediately began to feel butterflies in my stomach just hoping she wasn't the teacher. I looked up at Mr Nolan and said "You can't be serious? She is not my teacher, right sir?" He said to me with a smirk on his face"I asked if you were ready?" We slowly made our way to my new teacher. Mr Nolan stood in front of her and said "Hi Mrs Mills. This is Emma Marie. She is a new student here at Maine State High School. I would like to welcome her into your class." "Hi Mrs Mills. I'm Emma Marie Swan" I said nervously looking down at my fidgeting fingers. Mrs Mills stood up from behind her desk and walked over to Me. She stood in front of Mr Nolan and I and gave a warm yet evil smile. "Welcome, Miss Swan. I ensure your stay here will be, quite, interesting." I stared at Mrs Mills as she spoke. Her voice was so soft yet very authoritative. Its was dark. It was seductive. I had to rub my temples to wake myself up out of this dream. She was intimidating. She was everything you could possibly call a queen. "Emma….Emma." Mr Nolan had to say my name a few times just to make sure I was ok. "Sorry Sir, I guess I was caught up in the moment...Of starting a new school that is." I tried to say this without showing my bright red blushing cheeks. "Thank You, Mr Nolan. I will come to you if I need help." Mr Nolan nodded his head and began to walk out but he was interrupted by Mrs Mills. "No need for that Emma. If you need help, you will come to me." I felt butterflies yield up in my stomach. "Thank You, Mr Nolan."
I sat a table of five. All alone. By myself. I looked at the time and it was only 8:35am. The bell doesn't ring until 8:45am. I tried to occupy myself, hoping Mrs Mills would call me over. Five minutes pass and finally, what I had been waiting for...happened. "Emma Marie. Come here please." I lifted my eyes from my ipad and slowly placed it down on the table. I quickly made my way too Mrs Mills and stood directly in front of her. "Please, sit down." I sat in a seat next to her that was black leather with red soft cushions that had a swan with a crown embroidered on it. I sat there for a few seconds before she lifted her eyes of the laptop. "So, tell me about yourself. How long have you live here?" Her voice was soft. "I've only just moved here with my sister and brother in law. He was in the army. I-" "No. Tell me about you." My cheeks began to blush, I swear she could tell I was nervous. "Your nervous, Emma." She said to me. Damn, I thought to myself. Maybe she can read minds. "No, Miss Swan, I can't read your mind. But what I can do, Is read body language. The way you've positioned your self shows me you're uncomfortable in my presence. The way you're speaking tells me you're not sure what to say incase you say the wrong thing." Mrs Mills laughed to herself. "Don't worry Dear. I get that alot." I gave a small smile. "So, tell me Emma. How old are you?" "I am eighteen years old Mrs Mills." "And what are your plans for the future?" "My plans are to know what I want to do." Mrs Mills frowned at my answer. "And how are you supposed to do that?" "I'm not to sure Mrs Mills." Luckily, just as Mrs Mill was going to ask me a question, the bell went. So, that means, form class would start and people would come flooding through the door. Well, the opposite happened. A Lot of them lined up at the door. "I thought this was High School Mrs Mills." I joked. "This is Miss Swan. But in my class. You follow my rules." "Do I have to line up?" I asked. She shook her head and said "No Dear, just sit right there." She stood up and walked around me and brushed her hand against my back which sent a cold shiver down my spine. She stood at the door and had her phone out with the role on it. "Good Morning Ms" "Good Morning Killian." "Morning Ms." "Anabel." "Hi Ms." "Jonah." "Hello Mrs Mills." "Goodmorning Emma." "Greetings Mrs Mills." "Joshua, How lovely to see you." "Mrs Mills." "Mr Hood." This went on for a few seconds before the last girl came in. "Hello Mrs Mills. I assume your morning has been quite intriguing?" "Hello Bailey. You're quite right. We have a new student joining us this year. Everyone meet Emma Marie. She is 18. She is a bit older than you all, so please, welcome her with open arms as have I. Her father is ex militant so do not try anything on her." The whole class looked at me like something was wrong. Mrs Mills signaled for me to join her at her side. "Introduce yourself Miss Glass." She whispered in my ear. "Hello. I'm Emma Marie, but you can call me Ree. Ah, yeah Mrs Mills has cleared everything you need to know. Thanks." Everyone just stared at me like I was some piece of meat they were preying upon. Everyone just sat there and turned their attention to their mobile devices. Mrs Mills walked her and myself back over to the firm black leather couches. "Sit Dear. Tell me more about you? How old were you when you left home? Usually you'd be the age you are now, but something tells me, there have been problems in your life." I sat down slowly and carefully without showing Mrs Mills how nervous I really was. "I was fifteen when I left home. Everything was ok." I lied. "My Mum worked for social welfare and my Dad worked at multiple construction sites." Mrs Mills looked at me funny. Like she knew me. "Well, seems like you had it all. And, how did your parents feel about letting you go at a young age?" "My parents didn't really care. They said they want the best for me, for my future. But if they really did...why couldn't they do it themselves. Why did it take their eldest daughter to step in?" Mrs Mills looked down and said "Unfortunately, I cannot answer that. But, you will be happy someday. Soon enough dear." Suddenly, our conversation was cut short. "There's the bell dear. If you need help, remember. Come to me." I stood up and put my bag on my back. I wasn't ready to leave. "I hope to see you again. Mrs Mills." Mrs Mills smiled and said "Enjoy your day, Emma."
First class I had was science. I did not know anything about science. I walked into class holding my other hand and nervously shaking. "Hello, I'm Emma." The teacher Smiled and waved her hand as if to tell me to walk over. I did as she said. "Hello Emma, I was notified that you would be joining our science class today. Welcome. I am Ms Winchester. I promise, as long as you follow instructions, you won't blow up the school." I tried to hold in my giggle but my stomach got the best of me. "Thank you very much Ms Winchester, I promise, I will not blow up our school." She dismissed me to sit. I found a table where two girls and two boys were seated. "Hi guys and gals. Im Emma. Im new." One of the girls had ginger hair and the other ombre. The girl with the ginger hair talked first. "Hi Emma, I'm Julie. This is Kella, Dan and Michael." They all looked at me and said 'Hey' at the same time. "Hey Emma Marie, I'm Kella-Marie. Our names are so close to being the same. That makes us special." Dan looked at Kella and said "No, It makes her special and you special needs." Michael laughed and said "Hey I'm Michael. Don't worry. You're fine with us. We are not the kind of people who you'll meet on the first day and then abandon you the next. No, we don't do that. We have experienced that to much." I knew they were telling the truth. How do I know? Number one: Dan and Michael are both very feminine, and number two, they play netball...well I assume they do, I can tell by the way they act. Oh God, i'm starting to sound like Mrs Mills. Kella leaned over Julie and said "Emma, what form class are you in?" I sit there knowing full well, I didn't know the name of the class but I knew the teacher. "My form teacher is Mrs Mills." They looked at me and Dan said "Your so lucky, I wish I had Mrs Mills. She's so happy all the time and smiles all the time and has a comfortable looking couch all to herself." I giggled and said "I know right. That couch is absolutely amazing. I could just sleep in it all day." The four looked at me and laughed like I had said some funny joke. "You're a funny joker Emma. Like she'd let you on it." Julie said in a high pitched voice. I looked at her and said "What makes you say that?" She turned her head and said "You have to be pretty darn lucky to sit on that throne." I looked at them all and said "But I did sit on it. I even felt her pillows. With the swan and crown embroidered on them." They all continued to laugh. "They are visible from the doorway. Anyone could use that as an excuse." I sat there, fake smiling of course, enduring their childish nonsense.
Class finished earlier than I thought it would've. Kella, Julie, Dan and Mike took me with them and showed me around the school. "Emma, this is the canteen. If you ever have money, please, don't hesitate to remember remember me." Kella said jokingly. I giggled and said "Vise-Versa." She then looked at me and then laughed. "Kella, stop. Leave the poor girl alone. We have already done enough by saying she sat on THE couch." Julie put more umph on the word the. Everyone laughed. I seriously don't understand what the big deal is over THE couch.
It was second period already. Lunch had ended before I even knew it.
I walked around school for a good, five solid minutes until I stood in the middle of a hallway about to confess to myself how lost I was. Out of nowhere, a tall guy walked out of the bathroom and stopped to pass me. I took this opportunity to ask for help. "Excuse me. Are you able to lead me to C13?" The boy looked at me and smiled. Ahh, your the new girl everyone is talking about." I stood there dumbfounded. "Everyone...is...talking about me?" He waved his hands saying "No, no, no. Not in a bad way. Let me rephrase that. Hi Emma, Neal. I'm in your form class with Mrs Mills. She is..quite something right?" I laughed and said "At least I have one witness who actually saw me sitting on THE couch." He laughed and said "Yeah, about that. You have to be pretty darn lucky to sit on that. Mrs Mills may look all happy and excited all the time. But everyday, I see her, she looks like something is going on inside her." I had to cut the conversation short and say "Neal, its really lovely to meet you, but I really need to get my butt to class. Care to help?" He laughed and said "Sure. Im sorry. Right this way."
We turned down two corners and walked down a very bright hall way. and stopped outside a door. "C13 it is. Would you like me to-" "No...Neal, you've done MORE than enough." He nodded and said "Your welcome Emma. Feel free to talk anytime in form class." I smiled and walked through the door. I had creative writing. "Hi Ms...Ms." I looked down at my paper to see my teachers name. "Ms Raleigh." Mrs Raleigh came over to me and said "Yes. Mrs Mills did tell me you'd be in my class. Come on in. Have a seat." I stood at the door and scanned the class room to see if any of my new friends were in here. Unfortunately, they were not.
"Ms Raleigh. You said Mrs Mills told you I'd be here. Why would she do that?" Ms Raleigh laughed and said "Me and Mrs Mills a very good friends. We like to keep eachother updated on the lastest at Maine State. And you, Hun, are our latest." I looked down at my paper and rolled my eyes. I thought "That sounded totally wrong." Ms Raleigh was beautiful. She had bloned hair with streaks of brown and black and she had light blue eyes. She was the nicest person I had met yet.