As The Mill Grinds

UNBRIDLED Chapter 1

Eighteen Years Ago.

"Nadine Casey Bryan! Why are you now getting home?!" Shelia yelled at the top of her voice in a rage. Sage their Rottwieler barked wildly as they sensory lights came on. Nadine was caught in her tracks when the lights shone on her. She had no idea that her father had installed security lights earlier that afternoon. Nadine froze in her position as she crept up the front stairs heading towards the main entrance. Not sure if to run away or stay put, she decided to do the next thing,

"Look mum, here's the thing, um... So I was studying at Cara's, when we remembered that Jessie had our assignment from Mrs. Deen our Biology teacher. So we headed over there to Jessie's, for the assignment,"

Shelia just stood there straight faced and arms crossed across her chest, as she listened to her daughter concoct her story. She sighed impatiently and raised an eye brow at the mention of Nadine making any efforts to completing a Biology assignment or any assignment as a matter of fact.

"Who knew that Jessie was throwing a party while her parents where away, I mean like who does that?" Nadine tried ever so hard to convince her mother that she was above board and clueless to her friend's party plans. "Me and Cara tried to tell her, to end it you know, but..."

"What time is it?" Shelia showed no emotions and that made it hard for Nadine to read whether or not she was buying her story.

"Huh?"

"I asked you...what... time... is it?" Nadine knew that whenever her mother spoke slowly and enunciated every word, she was in deep trouble.

"Um... I don't know," Nadine rubbed her hands together nervously as her mother started to walk towards her.

"Where is your watch?"

"I forgot it by Cara."

"Oh... You forgot it? What about your phone? "

"It died every since. I ...I forgot my charger at home."

"Oh did you?" By this time Shelia was standing an arms length away and Nadine noticed the strap in her mother's hand. The same time her ringtone echoed in the quiet night. Nadine jumped at the sound of her phone ringing and pleaded desperately for her mother to spare her and forgive her for telling lies and coming in past curfew. Shelia raised her hand and then... well you know.

* * *

"Buzzzz!! Buzzzz!!"

"Hellooo...," Nadine rolled over on her side and rolled back quickly, she was soar all over. The last thing she remembered was the back of her mother's hand coming quickly at her and struck her across the mouth.

"Hey girl, Oooo...you sound terrible. What time did you get in last night?" Cara had been Nadine's best friend from preschool and partner in crime.

"I got caught getting in, ouch," Nadine touched her lip gently and squinted from the pain. She rubbed her behind and that too was swollen.

"Wait, the last time I saw you was when Kai dragged you away from the dance floor. Where did you all go?"

"Up in Jessie's room," She smiled ruefully but ended up cringing from pain.

"Wait..WHAT! Don't tell me, did you two...?"

"Yes we did,"

"You all used protection right?"

"Protection? Yes of course. Do you think I am irresponsible or something?" She retorted. 'Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Why didn't we use protection?' Nadine internalized the whole matter. Why did I get drawn by Kai? Why did he have to be so sexy? Ugh! Supposed I get pregnant? No no no I can't be I'm only sixteen. We are just to be having fun... "