The Story Of Us

Chapter One ~ Emily

Looking around the open campus, my vision clouds. With stinging eyes, I wipe back the approaching tears. Already homesick, I let the two staff members pull me away from my family.

I watch as the two figures, who I once trusted, leave the room. Their faces are expressionless and jaws are tensed. I turn away from them, unable to handle the sobs that echo throughout the room. A scream rips its way through me, as numerous pleads spew out of my mouth. I want my parents to come back and take me away.

Panic overcomes me, my chest heaving. My breathing stops suddenly, my head spinning. All I can do is choke out sobs. Each sob consumes me in tidal waves, each one more painful then the last.

"Calm down sugar," a staff worker, who I have come to known as Mrs. Jazz, attempts to comfort me. It does not work.

She calmly rubs my back, her beady eyes staring at me. Her hair is pulled into multiple braids and she's wearing a blue shirt. Her wrist is wrapped in many different bracelets, perhaps from the other residents.

I refuse to be here.

I start clawing at my hair, my thoughts no longer my own. I throw myself against a wall, my head numb from the pain. I can't feel anything besides fear.

"I...want...home!" I choke out, my voice raised an octave.

"I know," says another lady states. I can not remember her name, for I do not care to learn it.

I cradle my face between my hands. I shake and I rock, unintentionally soothing myself.

I continue to sob until something clicks within my mind. I breathe in and out, forcing myself to take in air. I look up, my eyes glassy.

I take a deep breath, "I'm ready to go to the dorm."

~

Unpacking my bags was tedious and simply annoying. After meeting my advocate, whom is supposedly someone I'm supposed to go to if I need anything, I was swept away to watch her unpack my bags.

One sock, check off the list. Two sock, check. One shirt, check.

I stare blankly at my advocate, who is a short hunched over woman. Her curly hair is gray sea of locks, in which she doesn't seem to style it. Her eyes are dull and wrinkles are decorations underneath them, a sure sign of old age.

I faintly remember her name being as Mrs. Carin but I am not too sure if that's correct.

"Now, darling, if you would hand me that last shirt we'll be done!" She says, her lips lifting up into a fond smile.

Nodding wordlessly, I hand it over.

"You'll be going to Recreational Therapy, known as R.T. shortly. There, you will do many activities and games that you can do at home instead of bad habits," her voice is filled with nothing but kindness, "I'm sure you'll enjoy it here, at residential."

I nod, thinking her words were nothing but lies.

Shortly after, another staff named Ms. Ray, drops me off in a big gym area. Relief fills me when I find that barely anyone turns to look at me. Everyone is too engaged in their basketball game. I am guided over to sit against the wall, next to a guy dressed in a red sweatshirt.

The first thing I notice is his hair, which is a swirl of green and purple swept into a messy look. His nose is tiny and his green eyes are friendly.

Hesitantly, I sit down. I train my eyes to the floor, hoping to blend in.

"Hey...I'm Ashton," a boyish voice introduces himself.

My eyes flicker up to his for a few seconds, before training itself on the floor again.

Waiting a few seconds, I realize I haven't responded yet.

"Emily," I respond, my voice meek. My gaze continues to stay on the floor, while he examines my puffy face.

"Look, I know that being here is bad and all, but after a while, you get used to it. I don't know what you're here for, but you've got a friend. And that friend is me."

I turn towards Ashton, a smile gracing my face. We then continued to talk a little more, Ashton making a big effort to keep me distracted.

After R.T. we head over to the cafeteria for dinner. I scrunch up my face at the brown and white mush.

Ashton, whose standing behind me, laughs a little.

"It tastes better than it looks," he simply says.

Once again, my lips tug into a small smile. Maybe residential won't be as bad as I thought it would be.
~~~~~~~~~~
I hope that wasn't as bad :)

-Emily