Disclaimer: I do not own The Mr. Men Show or any of its characters, but I do own Emily/Little Miss Music.
"Well," Emily finally began to explain after a very long pause. Part of her wanted to hurry up and confess everything to them so they could be on their way to some warmer place, but it was so painful that she didn't think she could rush it. She took a deep breath and prayed to God to give her the strength she needed. "This year was the worst one of my life." She was immediately interrupted.
"How come?" the light green Mr. Man asked her.
The former human stared sadly at him. "It was full of nothing but tragedies, over and over again. It got so bad that I started to…" She let her voice trailed away, looking at the cartoons in front of her, suddenly remembering that they come from a kid's show. Of course nothing she was about to tell them would ever happen on an actual episode, but they wanted to know why she wished she was a part of their world, and to make them fully understand, she had to tell them everything.
"I started to cut myself again." She sighed and lifted her arm to trace an invisible line across her wrist like she would when she was harming herself. The voice echoed loudly in her head when she did this, and she craved the real thing— that simple action made her feel like she needed to feel the pain and see the blood oozing out of the cut…
Quickly, she pushed those thoughts away, feeling the need to thank God because if it wasn't for Him, she wouldn't be here in Dillydale, surrounded by characters she's only seen on the show until now. Excitement rose in her again. Only for a moment though because she suddenly realized that the cartoons were staring at her with huge, concerned eyes.
Her cheeks burned with embarrassment and she lowered her arm, shifting her feet self-consciously. Mr. Small was the first to speak after several moments of awkward silence. "Wait, did you say again? Which means you've done this before?"
Emily nodded, swallowing uncomfortably. "I used to do it a lot when I was younger."
"Why?" Little Miss Calamity asked her. "I-I don't understand why you or anyone would want to intentionally hurt themselves. I get hurt almost every single day by accident because of one reason or another, and I hate it."
"It's different when it's you doing it to yourself." Emily glanced at her, then went on before any of them could respond. "I used to do it as a teenager because I was depressed and lonely, and pain was better than those feelings. I got over that for a while though, after I met—" She broke off, praying to God to show her a way of saying this without it sounding weird. But she realized there was no other way of confessing it so she took a deep breath and continued," After I met my husband."
All three of them gasped at the same time. "Your husband!" Little Miss Calamity exclaimed. "You're married? Won't he be missing you?" she asked before Emily could reply. "Why did you want to come into town instead of trying to get back to him?"
Suddenly, Emily's eyes started watering, and she put her face in her hands as her body trembled, sobbing uncontrollably. The voice echoed in her head, taunting her and convincing her that she was worthless and that nobody will ever truly love her. A touch on her shoulder made her look up at Little Miss Calamity; then she glanced at the Mr. Men. They were all staring at her, alarm flashing in their eyes.
"Are you okay?" Mr. Small asked her.
Emily wiped away her tears, trying to pull herself together. "H-He… left me…" she forced out, her voice cracking. She looked away so when she was suddenly yanked into a hug it surprised her. Mr. Nosy wrapped his arms tightly around her, and she struggled to escape, feeling like she was being suffocated. She desperately needed air!
God, help me!
Darkness lingered at the edge of her vision, and Mr. Small's voice sounded distant as he spoke to his best friend. "Let her go, Nose! She can't breathe!"
Mr. Nosy loosened his grip on her, and she sucked in air and blew it out again. She did this until she regained full consciousness, then her breathing became normal again. The light green Mr. Man frowned down at her. "Sorry," he murmured.
Jumping out of his arms, Emily straightened her headphones and forced a smile, putting all her energy into ignoring the voice that mockingly said, He should have squeezed the life out of you.
She didn't want to believe she had to think like that anymore. "It's okay," she said. "Just don't do that again, please. I kinda need to be able to breathe to survive," she teasingly said, hoping to show him that she wasn't actually upset with him, and she was glad when a grin appeared on his face.
Maybe they aren't so bad after all, she decided. She remembered how annoyed she had been when she first met them, and then how angry she had been when they caught them eavesdropping. And she never liked them while watching the show. But now she realized that despite their nosiness, there was still good in them and they clearly cared about everyone, even people they hardly knew. She felt bad for judging them and immediately disliking them just because of one flaw.
The Bible says love everyone, she remembered, deciding to do just that and not jump to conclusions again.
"But my husband leaving me wasn't the only tragedy that happened this year," she went on after a while of nobody saying anything. Talking about all this was making the voice in her head grow louder, and she wished she could just not think about it, but she got this far. She had to finish telling them everything that happened to her.
I could tell them what happens when I think about all this, she thought, but quickly dismissed that option. There was no way she was going to confess that she had a voice in her head that mocked her and told her to do bad things. She just wished the voice would go away and leave her alone.
Maybe that will happen one day, with God's help. Oh please God, help me!
Not wanting to give into the voice, she focused her mind on the Lord as she continued. "For most of the year, my husband was there for me… Well, he tried to be, at least." She told them that her sister-in-law had been murdered at the beginning of the year, and she quickly mentioned her uncle and grandmother passing away within months of each other, not wanting to linger on that very long. She finished by confessing that her husband left her to make a real family with a girl he had only just met and her daughter who wasn't his but might as well be by the time he left Emily. All the while, the voice snarled nasty remarks at her, and Emily had to fight back tears.
"He helped me keep my mind off everything that happened," she said," but now with him gone, they were starting to weigh me down." She deliberately avoided mentioning anything about the voice. "And I couldn't stop myself from cutting again. But," she quickly added," since that portal opened up and brought me here, I've barely thought about any of that… Aside from talking about it now."
So why am I still hearing the voice? she asked herself, trying her hardest not to pay any attention to it now.
Go home, it snarled at her. You don't belong here.
God, help me forget and be happy! she prayed. I just want to be happy!
Mr. Small frowned deeply. "We're sorry for stirring up bad memories."
Emily shrugged and looked away, not sure how to respond. The words "It's okay" was on the tip of her tongue, but it wasn't okay. After talking about all this, she was starting to feel as depressed as she had been in her world.
As if sensing this, Mr. Small suddenly brightened and said," I know what'll make you feel better!" Before she could speak, he reached up and grabbed her hand, pulling her away with him. Emily glanced over her shoulder to see Mr. Nosy bending down to pick up their listening device and somehow fitting it into his pocket. Then he and Little Miss Calamity followed them.
The small man dragged her away from town and down a path with freshly fallen snow. She glanced from side to side. Where was he taking her? She was about to ask him when they came to the end of the path and Emily widened her eyes at the sight in front of her.
The lake! she thought, but the great body of water was frozen solid. The weak sunlight sparkled on the ice. She's never seen anything so beautiful.
"Isn't it lovely?" Mr. Small asked her, as if he could read her mind.
Emily was about to agree when Mr. Nosy and Little Miss Calamity joined them, out of breath from having to run to catch up to them.
"Why did you bring her here?" Little Miss Calamity was panting.
"I thought the view would cheer her up." Mr. Small blinked at Emily hopefully. "Did it?"
Again, Emily opened her mouth to reply, but just then something caught her eye. She turned, and a mix of excitement and alarm shot through her when she saw the familiar blue Mr. Man setting up a chair in an area that didn't have much snow.
Her new friends turned where she was looking, and Little Miss Calamity jabbed her in the side with her elbow. "Go over there and talk to him," she whispered. "You won't know if he likes you unless you talk to him," she added as Emily looked at her doubtfully.
The voice growled at her, Trust me; he does not like you. Give up.
She sighed inwardly and prayed to God to get rid of the voice inside her head.
She was knocked out of her thoughts when she noticed the best friends looking confused. "Are you talking about Mr. Grumpy?" the light green Mr. Man asked. "Do you want to be friends with him?"
"More than friends," Little Miss Calamity answered before Emily could, and embarrassment flashed in the former human.
Understanding sparkled in their eyes. "Oooh," they said together. Then Mr. Small started pulling on her arm again. "Come on, we'll introduce you to him," he said. She wiggled away from him, but as soon as she was free, Mr. Nosy pushed her forward, and she was forced to go with them.
Emily glanced over her shoulder to see Little Miss Calamity following them, laughter in her eyes. I'll get you back some day, she thought good heartedly. Then the voice reminded her that she didn't belong here. She might not get a chance to get even with the accident prone Little Miss. She sighed quietly, thinking how much she's gonna miss Dillydale.
Suddenly she found herself standing in front of her Senpai; the Mr. Man she admired and had strong feelings for; the one she dreamed of meeting for so long. It was only last night that she believed she'd never be able to meet him. Now here she was in Dillydale, right beside him, about to speak to him!
Thank You, God, for sending me here!
She's never been this excited in her life. But she was also very nervous, afraid that he wouldn't like her, and her fantasy of them falling in love and building a life together would be ruined forever. The voice echoed loudly in her head, adding on to her concerns and doubt.
But it was too late to run away. Besides, the best friends were blocking her way. She tried to drown out the voice by focusing on the good part of this situation: She was finally about to meet Mr. Grumpy after so many years of only seeing him on a screen!
The blue Mr. Man looked up from the book he was reading when they stopped in front of him. "Can I help you?" he asked in a sour tone, and he glared at Mr. Nosy and Mr. Small.
Mr. Nosy blinked curiously. "What are you doing out by the lake on a snowy day like today?" he asked, putting his head to one side in confusion.
He has a point, thought Emily. She shivered. What was Mr. Grumpy doing out here? Wasn't he cold?
"It's the only place I can get any peace and quiet. Or so I thought," he quickly added, sighing.
Oh, he wants to be alone, Emily realized, wondering if they ought to go, but before she could suggest leaving to her friends, Mr. Small pushed Emily closer to the grumpy Mr. Man.
"This is…" He paused, then said," Miss. Music." Emily was surprised that he went with her made up Little Miss name, especially since he was so upset when he found out that she lied about who she really was. But she told herself that he probably thought it would be easier for everyone to just go with the backstory she made for Little Miss Music instead of trying to explain who Emily was and how she got to their world.
"H-Hey," she stammered. First word I ever say to him and I mess it up! Real smooth… The voice growled in her head, convincing her that she was stupid and useless.
"Hey." His eyes narrowed, not looking at all happy that they interrupted his reading. "Is there something you need?" he demanded, seeming to be talking to the best friends and he turned back to them.
Mr. Small shared a glance with the light green Mr. Man before replying to Mr. Grumpy. "Well, you see," he started," Miss. Music here is new to Dillydale, and we were showing her around, but— Er…" He broke off, seeming to be thinking about what to say next.
Mr. Nosy seemed to notice that his friend needed help because he said," But we just remembered that we promised to help Mr. Scatterbrain around his house. So she would be without a guide and we don't want her getting lost, so we were hoping you would—"
"What about her?" Mr. Grumpy interrupted, pointing beside Emily, and for the first time the former human realized that Little Miss Calamity was standing on her other side. "Why can't she show her around?" he asked.
Little Miss Calamity hesitated for a moment. Then she answered, "I have shopping to do. I would love to show her around— especially since she seems so interesting and funny," she added with a watchful eye on Mr. Grumpy as if waiting to see his reaction. However he continued to look annoyed, not at all impressed. "But," the orange Little Miss went on, appearing disappointed that he didn't take the bait," I need groceries, and if I want dinner tonight, I have to go now."
"Why do I have to do it?" The grumpy Mr. Man looked around, but there was nobody else here. Other than Mr. Grumpy coming here to get some peace and quiet, who else would come to the lake when it was cold out? "Why not ask someone else— anyone else?" he added with a roll of his eyes.
"Well, because… Er…" Mr. Small seemed lost for words again, and Emily looked at Mr. Nosy and Little Miss Calamity, realizing they didn't know what to say either. The voice was right all along. Mr. Grumpy didn't like her. Her dream was falling apart in front of her.
Emily fought back tears. "That's okay," she choked out. "Thanks anyways. Sorry for bothering you." She turned to walk away, aware that her friends were keeping pace with her. Mr. Small was apologizing when Mr. Grumpy suddenly called them back.
Emily turned around to see the blue Mr. Man stopping a pace or two away from her. "Your name's Miss. Music?" he asked, and she nodded eagerly, feeling her heart beat faster in her chest. "I'm Mr. Grumpy. I guess I could show you around if no one else will." He glanced at the others.
"I'm afraid we can't," Mr. Small told him. He pushed Emily toward Mr. Grumpy. "You two have fun!" Then he and Mr. Nosy walked off, waving farewell.
"Do you know the way to get back to my house?" Little Miss Calamity asked her.
Emily thought for a moment. "I think so."
"Okay, see you later then. Bye!" Little Miss Calamity left as well, and suddenly Emily found herself alone with her Senpai. There was a ringing in her ear and she realized she was so happy right now that the voice was gone— for now.
No, don't think like that! she scolded herself. The voice feeds on my doubt. No doubt, no voice. Simple. But it wasn't simple at all. She needed to learn not to doubt so much and that was easier said than done. Right now though all she cared about was being here with Mr. Grumpy.
Please, God, don't let me mess this up! Don't let me do anything stupid!
She turned to him, grinning so big that it hurt, but when she saw the annoyed look on his face, she frowned deeply. "How do I always get roped up in their nonsense?" he muttered, sounding like he was talking to himself, so Emily pretended not to have heard.
She was determined not to let his bad attitude ruin this for her. Being here with him was the only thing keeping the voice away. She always knew he wasn't the happiest person and when she saw him in town, she had already guessed that he might not warm up to the idea of them being friends right away. But at least he agreed to show her around!
Maybe he'll grow to like me, she thought, smiling again as she imagined them getting together and falling in love. Then he'd ask her to marry him and she'd move in with him. They'd start a life together. She was getting so excited that she barely stopped herself from throwing herself at the Mr. Man beside her. But then it all drained out of her. I can't stay here. Eventually I have to return to my world, and I'll be depressed and lonely again.
Thinking this made the voice return and she tried to push it away. I can enjoy myself while I'm here! she told herself.
Suddenly she realized that her Senpai had returned to his chair and started to pack everything up, muttering under his breath. She inched her way over to him. "D-Do you need help?" she asked him, and he immediately handed her his chair.
"Help me bring all this to my car," he said.
They finished gathering everything together and headed toward the parking lot, snow crunching under their feet. Out of the corner of her eye, Emily caught a glimpse of the book he held in one hand while he carried the umbrella in the other. "What are you reading?" she dared to ask him, hoping he would be up for some small talk, and she was really curious about his book anyways. She liked reading too.
When they got to his car, he dropped his things to the ground and glanced at her. "A book about fishing," he answered as he opened the door to his backseat and threw the book in the car, along with the umbrella. Then he reached down to take the chair from her. Their fingers brushed together, and both of them froze, eyes locking. Emily could feel her cheeks burning, and he was blushing too.
After a couple of heartbeats, she pulled away. She cleared her throat, suddenly nervous all over again and the voice mocked her. "S-So, you like fishing?" she stammered. She already knew the answer, but she was hoping to keep up a conversation with him. But instead of replying, he only nodded sheepishly. Then he turned his back on her and set his chair in the backseat.
Closing the back door, he went over to open the passenger side door and gestured for her to get in. She blushed again as she climbed into his car. After he got into the driver's seat, he started the engine and pulled away from the lake. She stared out the window for a long time, having to remind herself that this wasn't a dream. She was actually in Dillydale, and she was actually in her Senpai's car.
She was only thinking about how wonderful this was, determined not to hear the voice in the back of her mind.
And none of this would be possible without God! Thank You, God! I know You know my feelings and thoughts so You already know how thankful I truly am… Thank You!
The silence was finally broken by the blue Mr. Man. "I need to stop by my house first to drop off my things," he told her as he gestured to his backseat before putting both hands back on the wheel.
"Okay," she responded, adding in her head, Whatever you say, Senpai. I'm just really happy to be finally meeting you. She wished she could tell him how much he means to her and that she's always dreamed about him even when they were worlds apart. But she knew how crazy that would sound; not to mention a bit on the stalker side. She didn't want that to be his first impression of her. Sighing inwardly, she went back to staring out the window, watching as they passed houses.
Please review! Thank you!
