KAHLAN
The next day started early, six am to be exact. Today I started school. Tina told me to get a good nights sleep, but I was quite restless; too many bad dreams. Though he went away, the dreams didn't. Along with today being the first day of school, I also had an appointment with a lame therapist. Doctor Damon Meir. It was an agreement between the Judge and I. It was the only way he'd sign my emancipation papers. The only thing worse that could happen to me that night was being placed in foster care. To be placed with people I didn't know, maybe participate in some sort of group therapy and talk about my feelings and the past. No, I didn't want that. As far as I was concerned, I wanted to act like nothing had ever happened. I wanted to just start life over and move on. That's when the idea of emancipation popped up. It surprised Ernistina that I was approved, even with the conditions and rules that I had to follow; though they were all very simple. Stay low, stay out of trouble, be responsible, act like an adult, and see a therapist. In the eyes of Tina, I was just a scared little girl, not ready for the responsibilities of adulthood. I could see it in the way she looked at me. Her eyes told everything her lips wouldn't dare speak. I knew her that well. I wondered if her eyes told the truth. Was I ready to live a life all my own?
I took a quick ten minute show and ate a couple of mini muffins with a glass of milk. My version of a good breakfast. It was kind of upsetting having your own place, being considered an adult, but not having your own way around the city. Of all the money that I had in my name, I was only allowed to spend a certain amount. At the time looking for a home and car was too much for me to handle, so I trusted all my money and financials to Tina. She spent some of it on the new house, and the rest went right back into my trust fund, which I can collect when I turn eighteen. It sucked. I had all this money that I couldn't touch. At least I got monthly allowances though, coming in at four thousand a month. It was better than nothing.
It was a hot day in Florida, which was usual, so its not like I would be freezing walking from one point to the other. I was comfortable in my blue jean shorts and white tank top. I wore my naturally wavy dark brown hair in a high ponytail, with my bangs flipped over my right eye. Not my usual hairstyle, considering for the past few months all I wanted to do was hide my face. But that simply would not do today. I didn't want to have to bother with the back of my neck getting hot with sweat and stickiness. I wore my mothers body spray that smelled of white lavender. I felt good. Today was the start of my new beginning. I made it to the bus stop right on time, which was at the end of my block. There were only a few kids waiting, but of course I didn't bother to talk to anyone. I've never been the type to make the first move, or start up the conversation. When the yellow doors opened, I was the first one to get on, taking a seat way in the back, away from most of the other teens. I stared out the window, neglecting any chance of eye contact.
"So, are you new?" A soft voice inquired. I looked ahead to see a blond headed girl turned all the way around in her seat, facing me. I gave her eye contact. It would have been rude not to, however, I couldn't speak. So she continued talking. "I've never seen you on this bus before." I stared at her, and then gave a little nod. It was the best that I could do. To be quite honest, I almost forgot how to make small talk. The last four months of my life have been crazy and the only thing I discussed went way beyond unnecessary chitchat. It was all heavy, and important, filled with big terms I had to constantly ask the meaning of. "I'm Carly. A senior." I smiled then continued to look out the window. That was probably a rude move, but I simply could not speak. I don't know whats wrong with me! "School started three weeks ago, so you're not that far off." I looked back at her. I guess she could read my mind. I didn't like the fact that everyone was already settled into the new groups. It had been a while since I talked to anyone who was the same age as me; who talked about school and fitting in. It was...refreshing and surprising. The young girl gave me a reassuring smile. I took notice in her. Her blonde hair was perfectly shaped, and she had bright blue eyes. But as I took a closer look, I noticed that one of them had a slight bruise either darkening, or slowly starting to fade away. When the bus came to its next stop, she hurried to sit next me. My eyes widened with fear and my body stiffened. I felt that she was very unpredictable. I wasn't necessarily afraid of her, but people. Everyone was unpredictable, but I guess things would be like that until you got the chance to know them. So, I guess that was what I was going to have to do if I wanted to be able to have friends and trust people again. "Do you have a schedule?"
"No," I responded, revealing my voice. "I'm supposed to get it from the office today."
"I'll take you there," she said with cheer in her voice. She was overly peppy and excited. I think she saw how hard I was looking at her left eye. A nervous chuckle escaped her pink full lips. "I fell in cheerleading practice. Its a dangerous sport." A sarcastic voice in my head wanted to say that cheerleading was not a sport, though I agreed with it being dangerous, but I was here to start over, not to start trouble. So I smiled. I wanted to remember what it was like having friends in Ohio. I wanted to have friends. I wanted to be normal.
"Oh? You're a cheerleader?" I played interested, my voice sounding a bit chipper. She eyed me. Oh no! I hope she didn't think I was trying to mock her.
"Oh, Um, I said that wrong," She started, "Cheer leading tryouts are coming up soon, but I took some time to practice on my own, so I'd be prepared...and I fell." My face was blank as I wondered how a person could fall on their eye. I wanted to ask her, but as she told me about her apparent accident, I got the feeling she was lying. There was a certain look plastered on her face. She was trying too hard to cover something up and to make her story remotely true.
DAMON
Damon listened to a worried social worker at the other end of his phone. The sound of her old, somewhat screechy voice was starting to annoy him. After all, this was the sixth time she had called in two days. Not that Damon was keeping track. He understood social workers being sure that their clients would be left in good hands, but when it came to Ernistina Bail, he felt that it was more. She was acting like a friend or mother. The relationship was obviously more important and personal then she let on.
"I want you to take it easy on her Doctor Meir," Tina spoke into his ear. She was talking so loud, as if that would help her get her point across; he practically wanted to hold the landline away from his ear. Damon took a seat in his overly large chair; his eyes glued to the opened file in his hand. Kahlan Mercer. Everyone who lived in Ohio had heard of her. The murders shocked the locals, plastering the news. It was a sad and horrific story. It was no secret. And now she was being passed off to him, in hopes that he could get her through this transition, as well as all the things that happened in her past.
"I don't think you have anything to worry about." His voice was deep and monotone.
"She's just a fragile girl," Tina replied as if she thought he wasn't taking things seriously, as if she were trying to explain her non stop calls. He had never met Kahlan Mercer himself, but he heard how distraught she was, how emotional she was. He felt like she would be an easy one to crack. All he needed to do was see that emotional wall she had up and break it down. Once it was broken she would be putty in his hands. Anyone worried needed to calm down and let him do his job.
"I understand that." When it came to Ernistina he felt that she was dying to tell him how she really was, versus files and news clippings he had seen. She was the one who knew her best, so what better way to handle Ms. Mercer than talk to the only person she trusted. This was his way of getting background information, without reading the fine print, or watching Kasey Donovan, the main reporter keeping tabs on the case throughout the trial. "Tell me about her." Ernistina was surprised to hear this. Most doctors wouldn't really ask that question right out, at least not the ones that she was familiar with. He already seemed different, and she wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.
"She is a sweet girl," Tina began, "Very sweet, yet very shy. But when she's pushed, she has a whole lot of fight in her. She doesn't realize that. Or she forgot about it. I've never met anyone like her before." Damon was quiet for a moment as he looked over the Judge's request. There were certain things that needed to be evaluated when it came to Kahlan. He wondered if she blamed herself, as most people in these situations did.
"I'm really interested in meeting Ms. Mercer," Damon replied. Tina sighed in frustration.
"Remember, its Redding now. Her last name is Redding."
"Yes, of course." Damon threw the file on his newly bought desk that matched the chair. Over sized. He stood up, shuffling across the room packed with unopened boxes, over to the window, thinking of a polite way to say what he needed. "Ms.Bail, let me assure you that Kahlan will be just fine. I won't do anything that should worry you. I'm here to help her, and that's exactly what I plan to do. I understand your concern, but frankly it is misplaced." Tina rolled her eyes, as if he could see. These young Doctors thought they could handle anything. They were so cocky, but she could bet money that Damon Meir never encountered a girl like Kahlan, nor a case this big. He was all words now. Everything would change when he met her today. Everything he thought he knew about traumatized victims would be thrown out the window. Where would that leave him then? He was to change Kahlan's life for the better, help her through anything that was still lingering around in her heart, and her mind, however, Kahlan would be the one to change his life. He just didn't know it yet.
"Alright Doctor," she said, "I'm leaving her to you." This made Damon smile. Maybe the woman would stop calling and give him time to prepare for the actual meeting with Kahlan Redding.
"Thank you Ms. Bail. I'll tell you what, I'll call you after our session today and let you know how it went. Maybe that'll put your mind at ease."
"I'd like that very much."
THE BOYS "I hate this place," Brandon muttered to his friends, gripping the two straps of his backpack, which hung from his shoulders. Chad gave his friend a little pat, as if he were encouraging Brandon. Chad didn't really mind school. He could see his friends, and all of his teachers loved him. It was going to be sad when he left this place. In high school he was famous. Everyone knew him. Who knows how it would be out there in the real world. Brandon didn't like it because he had a tutor for almost every class he was taking. Hence, why he needed scholarships to get into college. For Jason, school was school. He came in and did the work that was asked of him. That was really all it took to survive high school. They made their way to the side doors that led to the cafeteria, in hopes to get some breakfast before the bell rang. They were on their way through the steel gray doors when Brandon unexpectedly threw his muscly arms out in front of the guys, causing them to stop. "What is i
KAHLAN AND CHAD Some job Ashley did, I thought to myself as I stood outside of the door of my first period class. I think I was expecting her to be at my side through out the day, but instead she dropped me off at my first class, followed by general directions to all my others. Here we go. The new girl was my title now. I didn't like it, but it was better than some of the alternatives. I walked into the class, keeping my head down. The female teacher who sat at her desk rose to her feet, smiling. Her red hair was tied to the back, where loose curls hung. Her hands went automatically to her side, and I could tell she hadn't been a teacher for more than a few years. She wore loose tan jeans and a navy blue button up shirt. After all, not many teachers got the excited look in their eyes when getting a new student. I could tell she had been expecting me. She explained that the students were doing an independent reading for the remainder of class, and since I had yet to check out a history
JASON AND AMY "There she is," Jason said aloud, as if there were people around who could hear him. He had watched Amy long enough to know that she was always the last person to come out of Ms. Rockwell's fourth period English class. Watched? Thats the wrong word to say. He admired her from afar. She was perfection. She was beauty. She hugged her English book to her chest, arms crossed along the back, and hands gripping the sides. She stared ahead, almost as if she were lost in her own thoughts. Her hips swayed to a rhythm only she knew. And for a moment, he could have sworn time slowed. Possibly even stopped. The ends of her dress swished loosely around her thighs, stopping at the knee of her bronzed legs. He took her in. Her eyes met with his, and he swore he could have swallowed a lung. It became harder to breathe. She smiled. Did she really see him? Or was this her being friendly, as she was to most everyone in school. She looked away. He took a deep breath. Now that it seemed like
KAHLAN AND THE GIRLS Walking through the lunch room, I felt another panic attack coming on. The cafeteria was packed. Every circular and rectangular table had been taken. The lines to get your food were long and slow paced. I knew that it would be this way, no matter how much I tried to deny it. My fellow peers had already settled into their groups. I at least hoped there would be one empty table where I could sit alone. I was good at being antisocial. I practically perfected it over the last few months. As I scanned the lunchroom, there was a table that I didn't mind sitting at. There weren't any young men. And I knew two out of the three girls sitting. So I grabbed my lunch tray and went straight to Carly's table. As I sat, I felt a little tension, as all three girls' eyes were on me. Carly's blue eyes looked ice cold. "Hi Kahlan," Ashley greeted, looking up at me, remembering me from his morning. She was the only one who made me feel welcomed. "Hi." I still looked Carly in the fa
JAMES AND MICHEAL "So what was up with you and Justin today man?" Mike asked as he and his best friend made their way through crowds of students to the parking lot. The school day was finally over. It was kind of a dumb question though. He knew how James felt about Justin. James hated him, for reasons he could understand. First, Justin and Carly had a past. It was a very special past. Justin and Carly were each others first, and no one could ever replace your first. The people around James, Justin and Carly remembered, and the halls of the school held memories. First dances, first kisses... it could be a lot to take in, especially when your girlfriend and her ex boyfriend were still friends. Though they didn't flaunt their friendship in front of James. Just the fact that he knew was a problem. "Its the same thing everyday," James replied, "He always has to bring Carly in the picture." That also was the problem. When an argument went down between the two, Justin would always bring up
KAHLAN AND DAMON The bus ride home was terrible. I already had a frustrating day. The mixed smells of perfumes, cologne, and sweat was making me nauseated, and having Carly scowling at me the entire time was not helping. She looked so angry. I finally looked away, focusing my attention on the fast moving houses outside the window. It seemed that I had a 'friend' that lasted all of ten seconds. I wasn't in the mood for all the drama that high school came with. I had bigger problems on my plate. I really just wanted to go home. But I couldn't. My day was not finished quite yet. I got off the bus, looking down the street and seeing my home. I wanted to go inside and lay under the covers of my bed, but that was going to wait. I had one thing to take care of before I locked myself away from the world. I had a meeting with my therapist, compliments to Judge Atkin. I had a few blocks to walk before I would reach my destination, so I figured I'd take time to decide how I was going to approach
BROOKE AND JAMES I love this, Brooke thought as she lay in tangled sheets with James Blake. His thick eye lashes lay against his cheeks as he slept. His bulky arms wrapped around her tiny body as if he were trying to protect her, as if he wanted to keep her close and snuggle with her. He wasn't the type to snuggle unless it was in his sleep, or unless it was with Carly. Carly. Brooke rolled away from his grasp and on to her side. She sighed. Carly was like her sister. She could tell her anything and everything and trust that it would stay between them always. She could count on her like no other. And this was the way that she repaid her. She was a terrible friend. What was she going to do? She had never meant to sleep with James. It was something that happened. And then it kept happening, and before she knew it, she was too deep to get out. He was addicting. She tossed wildly onto her back, causing James to open his eyes. "Whats wrong?" He asked her with a stretch. She looked. "Carl
KAHLAN AND DAMON Ryan Wingo, I thought, as if Doctor Meir could read my mind. Was it me or was the temperature in the room on the rise? Ryan Wingo, I thought again. I swear I could hear his voice, and felt his presence in the room. Ryan was my Urban Legend. I was afraid that if I said his name too many times he would appear and possibly kill me. I couldn't say it. I didn't want to say it. I didn't want this story to become real, or relive the past. I just wanted to move on and forget him. And that would never happen if everyone kept bringing him up. As I continued to think, I processed the idea that maybe Damon Meir could help with that. Help me forget. But, if I ask for help, am I admitting that there is something wrong with me? Because there wasn't. But what would happen if I were to forget? Would I be forgetting all of the good along with the bad? Would I be forgetting every memory of Ohio and my family? Truth was, I couldn't change the past. The past is what made me who I am tod