EMILY

SYNOPSIS.

  Early mornings have not always been my best times. The headaches that accompanied them always made me tired each time I woke up. I could sleep for fourteen hours but could still manage to be tired. Not because I am naturally lazy, but because I had been diagnosed with 2nd stage brain cancer.

 I am Emily Brookes. I am seventeen years of age with dark brown hair and hazel brown iris that has a flicker of gold in them. I am 5 feet 7 in height which makes me average in height. I am privileged enough to be from a rich family. My dad is the CEO of the most flourishing technical companies and my mom is a renowned fashion designer who always goes on endless trips while my dad spends most of his days in his laboratory.

 I spent most of my life alone, trying to gain their attention. I had to join the basketball team because my mom liked the sport. I joined the science club because my dad would not stop talking about them. All because I wanted to be seen by my very own parents. I slowly and quietly started to fall into depression. I kept the results for my brain cancer when it was first diagnosed on the dining table and my dad dismissed it off as one of his work files without opening it.

I felt so unseen and unloved. I was always in my own head and did not have any friends to confide in. My depressive state made me seriously anti-social. I began to incline into my shell, never wanting anyone to see me.   Due to my depressive state, I began to hear voices in my head. At first it started with them being friendly and kind, then obsessive and slowly, i began to have suicidal thoughts. On my very first attempt it was slight. I had gotten ready to slice through my wrist when a knock was heard from the front door. It sounded important so I decided to get the door. It was the mail man and he needed a signature to confirm that the order had been delivered. Opening up the letter, I found out that I had been accepted into a fashion school which I had applied to on a whim, in the process of trying to get my mom’s attention. Which definitely didn’t work. I considered tearing up the letter, but on second thought, I decided to accept it. A decision that I will be glad I got to make.

  I left the house with nothing, promising to start over my life. I took my phone, sketch book and nothing else and left the house that same day. I needed to actually report to the school in a month’s time and I needed to start over, depression or no depression. I booked an emergency flight to Europe and boarded the plane. Once there, I’m gonna throw my old life away. Before I did leave, I made sure to keep my medical results on the dining table. It was now left for them to figure it out.  

On setting foot in Europe, I immediately found my way to the design school, “ ROYAL COLLEGE”. I gave myself a small smile, congratulating myself. I went in search of where to get a new phone since I decided to not be in touch with home any longer. I got a new number and a new bank account. I then went in search of an apartment. I got one three blocks away from the school. It was a one room apartment. I paid a four year rent at once since the program is to last for four years.   

 I ordered take out that evening before going to bed. I checked my old phone with hope that my presence had been felt, but there was nothing. I began to slip into my head again when my doorbell rang. I contemplated not answering it but my legs had a mind of their own. I opened the door and met a young girl, presumably, she was my age mate. She beamed as I stared at her.

“ Hello”, She greeted me and I scanned her. She had shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes.  “She’s pretty”, I thought as she stared at me expectantly. I cleared my throat as I replied to her greeting.  “I’m your neighbour and I hope we become good friends”, she said and I nodded. Come to think of it, I never really had friends back in Los Angeles. I hope she turns out nice…