VERBATIM - slow updates.

chapter one.

"i just have a feeling that you're going to do such great things, Aphrodite" the principle of Greenwall Grammar school, Mr Hawkins gasped eagerly as his eyes raked over the mountains of paper that i had brought with me for my first day. "i mean really, no one has ever brought me references of their work before...but this? it's remarkable..." he complimented, his fingers tracing lines of words and ink.

"thank you very much, sir." i reply shortly, hoping that my mother would be glad with my stark response. i wished to speak further about my work with him, i enjoyed positive and negative criticism - as long as it helped me improve i didn't mind how harsh it was. but, mother had forbade me from speaking out of line by using emotions whilst in a business setting; so i contained myself.

mothers hand crawled up my side and rested on my shoulder, her gangly fingers rubbing my pointy bone sharply. "yes, she is quite the academic! i'm so proud of her," she said with a curt nod and a furtive smile.

i was aware that she was embellishing our relationship as to make me seem more appropriate for attending this school. she did this often; for her work, for my success and practically every time we ventured from our house. but, i didn't really mind as it felt nice to act as though i had a caring mother, one who was proud of me, one who gushed about how talented i was to her friends without having it be for her own benefit. alas, she was hardly anything close to that, but, it didn't matter as i had grown numb to her falseness and barely even noticed the difference anymore, i couldn't distinguish what was right or wrong, normal or abnormal.

"right, do you mind if i keep these for the rest of the day? i'd love to properly read over them and admire all of your...everything" Mr Hawkins asked excitedly, i had never seen anybody so enchanted by my efforts; it was truly heartwarming.

"oh, don't be silly! she made them for you! keep them, we have plenty at home, besides, she can always make more." mother replied, her hands flapping around exaggeratedly as she spoke, a mendacious smile lit up on her face.

i wasn't surprised by her words as she often ordered me to create things for her, wether it be; artwork, poetry, stories or even music, i would always comply and she would always give it away without a second glance. shattering my soul ever time without fail.

Me Hawkins' face lit up, "really? aw, that's wonderful. thank you, truly." he spoke as his face shined with fervency. "now, am i right in assuming that you have your timetable?" he asks me, once he had finished stacking up my work and carefully placing it on the edge of his desk.

i look at his face but not in his eyes as i hope to show him only the utmost respect. "yes, of course." i assure, pulling out a neatly folded copy of my time table that i had pushed into my jacket pocket almost as soon as i had been given it from reception.

"grand. my son is waiting outside my office to show you around, so as soon as you're ready you can begin your day. i hope everything goes well; good luck." he beams, swiftly retiring back to the stack of papers beside him.

i stand up sharply after my mother and we both walk out of his office, only after i gave one final farewell to the headmaster for the moment.

—————

"you better not fuck this up." mother snarked as we stood right outside of Mr Hawkins door, his soon stood a few feet away waiting for us to be finished so that he may take me around the school.

"i promise-" i begin but am abruptly cut off.

"don't interrupt me. you know how important this is. you must succeed, you must do well, if you fuck this up again i swear to god" she speaks, her voice getting gradually shakier and more furious as she whispers, "i will ensure that you suffer so horribly that you are begging for death." she threatens.