World Peace isn't Just for Beauty Queens

Chapter Nine: Great Expectations

Emily was upset. Her parents were talking, lecturing and saddened.

“Emily, you failed a test worth 10% you know how much that is going to affect you HSC?” he father said. Her family were sitting at the dinner table, lecturing her about failing her first assignment.

“You know how much money we pay for you to go to school?” her father said, her mother sat quietly, disappointed at her daughters results.

“It costs us a lot of money, so you better get your finger out of your arse and get working. We are so disappointed in you Emily, getting 30% is not acceptable,” he said, pacing the room. Emily was trying not to cry. Her Indonesian teacher, Miss York had called her parents because she was worried about Emily’s results. Miss York, or Yorkie as her students called her, was only concerned about Emily’s wellbeing. She noticed some of the flak she had been getting at school, but Emily’s parents didn’t see it that way.

“If your grades don’t pick up we will take you out of school and you can go and study at Stone High instead,” he said.

“You can’t do that, I’d have to repeat year 11 to corroborate with the subjects…”

“That’s not my problem, honestly Emily, sometimes I wonder if you really care about your education, instead of just bludging around the house…”

“I studied for this test, I tried my best…”

“Obviously your best is not good enough,” he replied. Emily’s mother made a move towards her father.

“Greg, don’t blame her for trying her best,” she said.

“Emily, go to your room, your mum and I will discuss your punishment later,” he said. Emily ran upstairs to her bedroom slamming the door behind her, she sat against it willing herself not to cry. She had never seen her parents so angry over something, and it scared her. It scared her a lot. She sat there, waiting for her punishment, like the sucker she was.

She was a good girl she didn’t complain as her internet was disconnected, nor when she was lectured again. She had to occupy herself for a week, planning to barely talk to her parents. The silent treatment the last weapon she had against them. It wasn’t until dinner a few nights later she learnt of the other expectations that her parents, well, expected of her.

“Why don’t you invite Jillian over next week?” he mother asked. Emily almost choked on her food, whilst her father nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, I mean she was such a good friend, I said hello to her the other day. Asked how she was doing, she told me she was keeping you away from the boys. That made me happy to know you have such a good friend looking after you,” said her mother. Emily almost gagged, after the problems Jillian had caused it was surprising that Emily could even keep food in her mouth.

“We just haven’t talked in a while,” she replied.

“Well you should, that’s very rude of you to ignore someone like that Emily, after all she’s done for you,” her mother replied. Emily nodded and wished she could tell her parents what Jillian was really like. It was difficult though, because in their eyes Jillian was everything Emily should be, gorgeous, intelligent and a prefect. In Emily’s parents opinion there was no one better.

“Mr Rosenberg wants you to go over tomorrow, maybe you and his grandson will get on,” her mother said. It took all of Emily’s strength to not roll her eyes.

“I’ve met him a couple of times before and he’s a complete arse,” she replied. She wasn’t going to give her parents the truth about Jillian, but she was at least going to speak her mind about Jesse.