The Trials and Tribulations of a so-called Trouble Teen

Chapter 4 - It's Gonna Be Alright

TW: Body image

Saturday mornings are usually quite laid back for me. I have no real solid plans most of the tine and the only real plans I usually have are to watch other content creators and create some awareness campaigns for the food banks. Things are different today though. My dad is taking Maya and I into London, Dan and Casey are coming over for a sleepover and tonight Abuelo is making a buffet. He invited Brian over as Anita's going out for a girls' night with her friends. There's a chance I will be asked to help out with the food bank this weekend although I might not really be needed. 

M: [kisses forehead] Good morning darling! 

E: [looks at] Morning...

M: Do you feel any better? [checks temperature] 

E: [sighs] Yeah... 

M: Do you want to get up yet or do you want to lie down for a little longer? 

M: No rush, take your time. [gets up] When we're having breakfast, I need to take some photos for my media coursework. 

E: Why? 

M: I'm designing a food magazine. 

E: Why? 

M: I thought I could challenge myself and do a food magazine instead of a gossip or a fashion magazine. I need to get original images for it. I want to start taking them now so that I have lots of them to choose from by January when we are going to make our articles and spreads. Do you want to help me take the photos. 

E: [nods] 

M: [looks in mirror] Oh my god!

E: [jumps out of bed] What?

M: Why is my eye - Evin I think you might have punched me in your sleep again. [looks at Evin]

E: [grabs and looks at eye] 

M: Were you having dreams again?

E: Yeah. 

M: [leads to bed] What did you dream about last night? 

E: Well, my dad, Val and Priscilla was there. 

M: Were there. 

E: Priscilla was hurting Val so I went to hurt her but then my dad came home in the middle of it and he saw me drop kick Priscilla. I wish I did that in reality. 

M: Evin, have you ever considered that you might have REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder or something like it?

E: I know my mam had something like that. Is it genetic?

M: It might be. Jenny... you know my aunt Jenny right?

E: [looks at] 

M: She's the tall blonde one who has all of the koala plushies. 

E: Oh... yeah. 

M: She's actually doing her research on that with her team. What they're mainly focusing on is if it's curable or if extended treatment would be needed. It's actually something you should read up on. I won't diagnose you on the spot. I'm a 17 year old with no medical experience or training, but your restlessness while you sleep might not just be down to you having autism. It's so rare, something like less than 1% of the population, that I can't see you having it. 

E: [nods] I dunno... [sighs and squeezes toy] It would just be another thing to add what's wrong with me.

M: Baby, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. 

E: Then why can't I do anything right? I would've been better off dead or something. no one clearly wants me because I'm a hassle to deal with. Everyone has to take extra measures to deal with me. I'm the problem child no one wants.