When Aurora still didn't get out of the car Peter wasn't sure what to do. He didn't want to threaten her with extra chores or anything. She seemed so fragile and was obviously depressed. He had hoped that they would get off to a better start than this.
If this was about me then I would not be here against my will. If this was about me then everyone would just leave me alone. If this was about me then my mom wouldn't get mad at something as small as saying the wrong thing and she wouldn't get mad now at me not talking. If this was about me then people would be accepting. This is not about me. This is about getting rid of me. This is about sending me to someplace where there is a bunch of people I don't know. Students who are seen as messed up and adults who don't care about me but want to change me. So no, I will not get out of this car, she thought with a mixture of anger and sadness.
Peter looked at the girl. She was skinny and tan with long straight black hair. She was wearing skinny jeans and a printed tank top. She wore jewelry that matched her tank top. Her hair was down. Seeing as how she was depressed, Peter assumed she had worn the outfit many times and put it together on autopilot. That or that her mom had encouraged it. Aurora's mom seemed to be getting less enthusiastic and more frazzled by the second though and Peter knew he needed to get Aurora out of the car sooner rather than later.
"We can sit here all day, but you have to get out some time. Leaving Horizon isn't a choice right now." Peter explained to her. Though he didn't like to make the parent's opinions too high a priority, he had to admit that not being able to get this new student out of the car wasn't making the best impression. "So please come out. Horizon is actually a pretty nice place. There is plenty of nature. We have a library. What do you say?" Peter asked trying to help her feel more comfortable.
Aurora could feel her resolve cracking. She looked at Peter for a split second before returning to her statue state. He seems smiling and nice, Aurora thought, not what I expected. It was hard for her to be rude or mean to people who seemed nice. Aurora found herself unable to maintain her attempt to be a statue. She wondered if the counselors really did care and maybe this was a nice place or if it was just another lie. She wanted to believe that this place wasn't so bad. Maybe she would have better luck with new people. It was obvious her mother didn't get it. Maybe the people at this place would. She let out a sigh that was nearly inaudible, took her seat belt off, and grabbed her bags from the seat next to her. After pausing a second, she got out.
Peter could tell that Aurora was starting to give in. She moved a little and then eventually got out of the car.
"See that wasn't so bad." Aurora's mother said turning to her daughter. "If you would have done that in the first place, you might have been settled in already."
Aurora frowned. Apparently I shouldn't have gotten out of the car, she thought. Her mother hugged her, but she didn't hug back. Peter noticed. He wondered if Aurora normally had a good relationship with her mom or not. When teens were sent to Horizon if sent a lot of family relationships assuke, at least in the beginning. For all he knew she could normally be very close with her mom. The suicide factor made him think it was less likely though.
"Remember to write. I got all that beautiful new stationary just for you." Her mother said. Just for me? Aurora thought. I didn't ask for it, I didn't want it. I don't know why you think I will write to you if I don't talk to you. Even if I did talk to you, after sending me here I am angry with you, so I wouldn't write you anyway.
Aurora turned and started toward the building in front of her, bags in tow. If she didn't get away from her mother soon, she felt she would lose it. If this is going to happen it might as well happen soon, she thought as she climbed the steps. She would rather not hear if her mother said anything else to Peter. She would rather not hear if her mother said anything else at all.
Peter was about to go after Aurora and tell her to wait, but he seen Sophie inside and she signaled him she would watch after her.
"We will take good care of Aurora. Would you like a tour of the school?" Peter asked.
"No thank you. I really must be going if I want to get back by tomorrow for work. Do I need to fill anything else out?" Aurora's mother asked.
"Nope. If you have any questions you can call our office any time. We will take good care of your daughter." Peter said reaching out to shake her hand.
"Thank you." Aurora's mother said shaking the offered hand.
"Be good honey." She called out to Aurora who had already gone inside, before getting in her car and leaving.
