Sophie woke up early, first official day after summer vacation. She sighed trying to ignore the pain in her tummy and looked at Peter, while listening to his breathing as he was still in a deep sleep. “ugh” She forced herself out of bed and got ready for the day ahead, taking a couple of painkillers and putting the rest of the pack into her bag. While waiting for her fiance Peter and step daughter Charlie to wake, she filled a hot water bottle and lied down on the couch placing it on her tummy.
“Soph? You Ok?” Charlie asked as walking into the room to wait for Peter after having a shower.
“Not really... no... but don't worry.” Sophie said reassuring Charlie.
“Period?” Charlie asked knowing she had endometriosis.
“Yeah... it's pretty bad...” Sophie said sighing.
“Oh well... take the day off... and listen to the brothers!” Charlie said concerned but put on a silly voice to say the brothers.
“Thanks Charl... but I’ll be OK...” Sophie said smiling slightly
“Oh if your sure....” Charlie replied and sat down next to Sophie.
Peter awoke to the sound of his alarm “What time is it?” He asked and waited for an answer.
“Time to go and can Soph have the day off?” Charlie said and asked him another question.
“What's up Soph?” Peter shoved some clothes on and ran into the living room not wanting to be late.
“Um... woman things.” Soph said and sighed. “But I’m ok to work Honest.”
“Ok then Soph.. you sure?” Peter asked as they got ready to leave.
“Yeah I'm sure.” Sophie sighed and stood up.
“Ok well... lets got then... Charl? You going to school at horizon for your senior year... or you going to help me out? “
“I'll finish of my school stuff then next year I'll help with all the admin, counselling, teaching ect. If that's ok???” Charlie asked and they left for Mt Horizon.
“That's fine” Peter said and smiled being able to see the school as they parked up and got out the car already glad to be back.
Meanwhile Matthew was in the front passenger seat of his father’s car. He desperately wanted to get high and was sick and tired of being stuck in the car with HIM... his father... his father whose name just so happened to be Geoffrey. “ughhhh” Matthew groaned as the car pulled over at a petrol station, feeling bored, anxious and irritable.
“Sort out your attitude son!” His father Geoffrey said sternly before getting out the car to refill the tank with gas.
“Grrrrr” Matthew tried to escape and failed, realising his good for nothing father had locked the door. He banged at the window angrily, a little too hard. “OW! Damn it” He shouted trying not to cry. It hurt. He was sick of everything, sick of everyone. SICK of life.
His father soon returned to the car after filling the tank appalled by his sons bad behaviour. “GOSH SON! You sure know how to embarrass yourself don't you!”
“JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!!” Matthew growled, growing really angry and ripped the car radio out of the car, breaking it by accident.
“NOW LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE BOY! GOSH! You better behave at Mt horizon or they'll send you to Juvie Hall and you don't want that do you son?!” Geoffrey shouted pretty annoyed with his son and wanting to get to Horizon asap.
Within about an hour they arrived at horizon. Matthew stared.. stared blankly out the window refusing to get out the car. “Get out son! Don't make a fool of yourself on the first day.” His father Geoffrey demanded and swung open the door pulling his son out of the car, keeping hold of him making sure he didn't run.
Matthew sighed and got taken into Peter's office where he was left to get processed and settled in. “Well that's it then is it?” Matthew asked sitting restlessly in Peter's office.
“Not quite... when Peter comes back you will be processed then the doctor will you a full physical. You then can settle in and meet your group. You will be with me. The cliffhangers.” Sophie said sitting at Peter's desk waiting for him to return.
“Well where is he?” Matthew asked wondering.
“ Talking to Frank..” Sophie said and sighed, feeling unwell she took a sip of her water.
“What about drugs? Are you ok?” He asked being able to sense something was up with her.
“No... Not that Frank... Frank, founder of Horizon frank and yeah...I'm fine.” Sophie sighed again not wanting him to know.
“Can he just hurry up!” Matthew said getting restless.
“He'll be back soon...” Sophie said and just as she said so Peter returned to his office.
“Ah I see our new admit is here. “ Peter noticed and said intrigued by how normal he looked. “Soph you can get back to the cliffhangers now I'll take over here.”
After Sophie had left Peter started the usual admission process with Matthew. “You use?” He asked finding meph in his toothpaste tube.
“Uh yeah... That's why I'm here isn't it?” he said and asked kinda bored, just wanting to get away from all the adults.
“I don't know. You tell me why your here. You take anything else? Peter asked and tried to get Matthew to talk.
“No just Meph.. and I don't know I'm a fucked up individual That's why I'm here. Daddy didn't want me no more… and mother's dead. But she's been dead all my life…nothing new really” Matthew said not wanting to answer more questions.
“Ah I see.” Peter finished checking Matthew for drugs. “Mt horizon is a sanctuary, your safe here. I don't know what your demons are... But when you’re ready feel free to tell me or any of the other councillors. We have student teacher confidentiality here so we won't tell anyone unless we think you or someone else is in danger.” He said softly and led him up to the infirmary where he would receive a full physical.
