Maddy left for school that day, a little sad, but had to keep on her cheerful face for everyone to see. It was now becoming a burden to have to keep up this facade of everything being ok.
Madison walked into Mrs. O'Reilly's office later in the day with a defensive posture, exuding an air of self-assuredness. She took a seat, crossed her arms, and stared at the floor.
Mrs. O'Reilly greeted her warmly, trying to break through the walls Madison had built around herself. "Hello, Madison. You don't come in very often, it's good to see you. Talk to me, how are you feeling?"
Madison fidgeted in her seat, her voice guarded. "I don't really have anything to talk about. My mom thinks something's wrong with me, but I'm fine."
Mrs. O'Reilly leaned forward slightly, maintaining a gentle presence. "Sometimes, people that care for and love us notice changes in us that we may not be aware of ourselves. Your mom cares about you deeply, and she wants the best for you. Can you help me understand what made her reach out?"
Madison's eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape. Being that there wasn't any, she once again resigned herself to her situation. "I don't know... she thinks I'm acting differently, I guess. But I'm just going through some stuff, like everyone else."
Mrs. O'Reilly maintained her calm demeanor, patiently encouraging Madison to open up. "It's okay to go through stuff, Madison. We all face challenges in life. If you feel comfortable, can you share a little more about what's been going on?"
Madison hesitated, then decided to be vulnerable just for a second, her voice barely coming above a whisper. "I've been feeling... I don't know, overwhelmed, I guess. family, schoolwork... it's too much."
Mrs. O'Reilly nodded, acknowledging Madison's struggle. "Feeling overwhelmed is a perfectly valid experience, and it can be difficult to navigate on your own. Is there anything specific that's been weighing on your mind?"
Madison shifted in her seat. "I don't know... maybe the pressure to fit in, to be someone I'm not. It's exhausting."
Mrs. O'Reilly nodded empathetically. "The need to fit in and be accepted is something many people struggle with, especially during their teenage years. It can be draining to constantly try to meet certain expectations. Have you noticed any changes in your behavior or emotions that might be connected to this pressure?"
Madison paused. "I... I don't know. Sometimes I feel like I have to be mean to others to protect myself. It's like if I show weakness, they'll use it against me."
Mrs. O'Reilly listened attentively, recognizing the vulnerability in Madison's words. "It sounds like you're carrying a lot on your shoulders, Madison. The need to protect yourself is understandable, but there may be healthier ways to navigate those challenges. Can you tell me more about your experiences with others?"
Madison's voice quivered as she hesitatingly a glimpse of her struggles. "Sometimes, I... I say things to people, you know, make fun of them or put them down. It's like I can't help it. It makes me feel... in control, I guess."
Mrs. O'Reilly maintained her compassionate presence. "Thank you for sharing that, Madison. It takes courage to acknowledge our behaviors, even if they're negative. Can you help me understand what might be driving these actions? What do you think lies beneath that need for control?"
Madison hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know... maybe... maybe it's because I feel so out of control in other areas of my life. I don't want to be vulnerable. I don't want others to see my weaknesses."
At that point, the wall Maddy had built up over the years broke. And all the emotions and feelings came gushing out, all at once, in an unstoppable wave.
At first, a singular tear dropped out, then the dam burst. Maddy had never cried in her life, and now it poured out.
She sat there for a few minutes, weeping, just letting out all the pain and trauma she'd gone through.
The rage at her father for having abused her and her family, the shame of her bed-wetting, and the rate of how her life had just gone from decent to shitty now hit her with full force, and she leaned against the wall.
Madison sobbed, her vulnerability laid bare at that moment. "I need help fixing my life back to where it should be."
She reached for a box of tissues and gently placed it in front of Madison. "It's okay to let your tears flow. They are an expression of the pain you've carried for so long. Emotions can be overwhelming, but they are a vital part of healing."
Mrs. O'Reilly continued, "First, I want you to know that the abuse you and your mother endured was not your fault. It was your dad's choice to be abusive, and your decision to leave was courageous and necessary for your safety. You are not defined by his darkness; you are defined by your strength and resilience."
She paused to allow what she was saying sink in.
"And your life will get better, but it will require work on your part. There's no easy roads out of this, I'm afraid. But I'm here to listen, to support, and to offer advice and guidance whenever you need it."
———
Madison left the office, thinking about what had just happened, and what she had just said and did. And it felt a lot better, having opened up. It felt like now she didn't have to carry the burden entirely alone, and the situation wasn't entirely hopeless. She felt like, although her situation wasn't necessarily gonna change, at least now she had the strength to face it. Perhaps her bed-wetting would even stop.
Mrs. O'Reilly thought quite a bit about the session and then realized she could now also solve Eva and Sarah's problems. She vowed to talk to them the next day and tell them that Madison wouldn't bother them.
———
Mrs. O'Reilly pulled the girls aside an hour later, wanting to address the recent events. As the girls entered her office, they were greeted by a warm smile. "Hey, girls. Please, have a seat," Mrs. O'Reilly said, motioning toward the couch.
Eva and Sarah sat down, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension evident on their faces. She looked happy.
Mrs. O'Reilly started the conversation. "I want to talk to both of you about Madison and her behavior. Usually, I don't discuss other students, because I could lose my license. But given the circumstances, and being that I'm not going to say what she said, I think it's safe to share this." She paused to organize her thoughts.
"I had a conversation with her earlier today, and it seems that she's been going through some extremely difficult stuff in her life that is very hard to deal with. It doesn't in any way whatsoever excuse what she did to you and made you have to deal with, but from what I spoke with her, she feels sorry for what she did, and she will stop bullying."
Sarah let out a sigh of relief, her tense shoulders relaxing. "That's good to hear, we've been dealing with this for a while.
Eva's eyes brightened with newfound hope. "Thank you, Mrs. O'Reilly. It means a lot to us. I wonder what prompted her to realize she was being mean and hurtful to me, and also maybe to other people, but it isn't my business."
Mrs. O'Reilly nodded. "I want you both to know that I'm here to support you through this process. You deserve to have a positive and nurturing life."
Sarah expressed her gratitude, a sense of relief evident in her voice. "Thank you, Mrs. O'Reilly. We appreciate your help. It's been tough, but knowing that you're on our side gives us hope."
Mrs. O'Reilly smiled warmly at the girls. "You're both really strong and incredible how you've managed to deal with it. Remember, you have each other for support, and I'm here to guide you along the way. You've shown great courage in facing these challenges, and I believe in your ability to overcome them. You should, too"
Eva and Sarah exchanged grateful glances, a renewed sense of determination in their eyes. They were reassured by Mrs. O'Reilly's words and felt a weight lifted off their shoulders. They knew that they had an ally in their fight against bullying.
As the girls left Mrs. O'Reilly's office with a newfound sense of empowerment. They no longer had to face Madison's bullying, and they could breathe a sigh of relief.
———
Eva and Sarah stepped through the front door, exhaustion etched on their faces after a long day.
Eva and Sarah both walked to the living room couch, and sat down.
Eva looked into Sarah's eyes with a mixture of vulnerability and determination. "Sarah, can we talk about something really important?"
Sarah, placing her bag down, nodded and focused her attention on Eva. "Absolutely, Eva. What's on your mind?"
Taking a deep breath, Eva chose her words before speaking.
"Sarah, lately I've been feeling this strong desire to be closer to you. Not just emotionally, but physically as well. I was wondering if...if it would be okay if I moved into your room?"
Sarah's eyes showed her surprise, her mind processing Eva's request.
"You want to move in with me?"
Eva nodded.
Sarah reached out and gently squeezed Eva's hand, a warm smile crossing her face. "If being closer to me brings you comfort and strengthens our bond, then I wholeheartedly welcome you into my room."
Relief washed over Eva, her eyes shimmering with gratitude. "Thank you. It means the world to me."
As they finished their conversation, they exchanged a warm embrace, sealing their decision.
That night, Eva gathered her belongings and moved into Sarah's room.
As Eva and Sarah got ready to go to sleep, they decided to put on their diapers even they she probably wouldn't need one. It felt good to wear one, plus there was no harm in doing it.
And as they climbed into bed, Eva and Sarah felt a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. The familiar scent of their shared space, and the knowledge that they were embarking on a deeper level of intimacy filled the air.
Eva snuggled into her own blanket, while Sarah grabbed a book from her shelf and settled into her own. "We're in this together, through thick and thin." Sarah said.
"Good night, Sar" Eva said lovingly, a couple of seconds later. But Sarah was already lost within the pages of The Hunger Games to hear.
———