Stability boundaries love -- (Author) LittleTraumas

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Author: LittleTraumas
Timestamp: Apr 6, 2017 at 4:26 PM
Content: Chapter One

Rowena glanced around the bedroom. They’d decided that Emilia would be allowed to pick out the remaining necessary bits and pieces. It was sensible to let the young adult chose how she had her own space. She’d picked out the oak furniture from the Calia range on the John Lewis website, and Rowena and Tom and brought a new double mattress for the bed. Rowena smoothed out the mattress protector, straightening up the bottom edge of it so that it was completely inline with the oak-framed bed base. The windows were open, overlooking the front road and the imposing oak tree that stood on the pavement. The smell of fresh paint had almost disappeared, leaving three of the walls covered in just a cool shade of Farrow and Ball’s Palma Grey. The remaining wall was covered in the deeper blue of Cook’s Blue. The room looked cool, and it felt fresh.

As a psychologist, Rowena was pleased that Emilia had gone for cool and calming blue tones for her bedroom. Time and time again evidence has showed that these cool tones promote relaxation, calm and tranquility. As she stood in the room that morning , she couldn’t help but want to add some further ‘therapeutic touches’ to the bedroom. She knew however, that the room would look less bland when Emilia had picked out some of the other soft furnishings later that day. She made a mental note to add a rug to the ‘suggestion list’ she’d been writing down - the wooden floors were sure to be a little too cold for barefoot in the early mornings of the winter months. She shut the windows, and pulled the door to as she left the room and headed into the room next door which was her’s and Tom’s bedroom. She straightened the parting in her short, cropped brown hair and applied some eyeliner and mascara. Accessing her dark outfit with a paisley floral scarf, she picked up her sunglasses and handbag, and walked downstairs to the garage.

Emilia was difficult. Her childhood had been traumatic and chaotic. It had impacted her as a young adult. There were issues left, right and centre. She was extremely vulnerable and open to exploitation. She was easily led astray. There had already been disciplinary action over incidences involving alcohol and drug taking, her appearance was dishevelled, and her personal hygiene needed to improve at times. However, she was phenomenally bright and an exceptional sports player. Both qualities that made the university desperate to hold onto her. Her knowledge and passion for natural sciences indicated that she could go very far in the field. The university had recognised this early on which was why Rowena was now driving to the Summer Student accomodation.

If they could provide stability, boundaries and love, and if Emilia could engage with all three things, there a very real chance that a very traumatised, vulnerable, young woman could have her life transformed. As it stood at the moment it was unlikely she was going to be able to function well in adulthood. With no intervention the most likely scenarios were that she would end up repeating the traumas of the past, or, self medicate and end up drug and alcohol issues, or even end up in a prison. These likely scenarios were the reason the university was unwilling to allow her to remain in the student halls accomodation she’d been living in for the summer school period. Far too many issues had already cropped up within the three month period she’d been there. It wasn’t unusual for the international students to be housed with host families in their first univeristy year. It was the first time a member of the university welfare team had come forward and suggested their own home for a student. Rowena hadn’t expected herself to do that when she heard the offer coming out of her mouth in the welfare meeting. She had only met Emilia twice before making the offer - and on both occasions it was in disciplinary hearings she’d been required to attend at the Head of Student Welfare. She had heard much about her from one of the counsellor’s within her own team, she’d heard her being discussed in several meetings and she’d read various reports on the young woman. Despite all of the issues raised, Rowena had decided she liked the young girl and believed her past should not be a barrier to her future. She wanted to give her a fighting chance.

Thankfully for Rowena, her husband and now adult children had all agreed that it was their duty to open their home. It was plenty big enough, the family was full of love, and Rowena’s expertise as a psychologist would be invaluable to the young girl’s development.

It was a short drive to the Accomodation block. The multiple windows of the individual rooms all dazzled in the sunlight. Looking at the map on the wall she found where she needed to be. Rowena headed over to the lift to the fourth floor saying hello to the accomodation guidance staff as she passed. She felt a flutter in her stomach as she realised that she was taking the very student they’d spent most of the summer complaining about into her home.

4.26. Rowena knocked. The door was ajar and she could hear Emilia say “Come in”.

“Good Morning”.

Emilia glanced in her direction but avoided eye contact. “Hello” she said, looking towards Rowena’s feet.

The room was a dive. It smelt of stale alcohol and stale cigarets, despite the univeristy having a clear and very strict policy on not smoking within the buildings. Emilia looked like her usual dishevelled self, her hair was unbrushed, her jeans were ripped and her trainers probably had more holes in them than material covering them. She wore the same zip up day in, day out, for warmth and for waterproofness, despite it not being waterproof. The remainder of her belongings were packed into a cardboard box and she’d lain out three A3 art books on top of them. Rowena immediately recognised these to be her prized sketching books - she’d been told they were full of raw talent.

“I’m not really sure what I should do with those” Emilia said questioningly. “They were here when I came so I’ve been using them”. Rowena picked up the towel and flat sheet she was referring to and bundled them into a black bin liner she’d brought with her. “Why don’t we put these down in the laundry room so they can be washed and used again by someone else?”

Emilia wasn’t so sure. The laundry room to her had always been an overpriced, sweltering hot, non-environmentally friendly, deathtrap in the basement. But then she thought Rowena would know best about these things. Would she know best about these things? Rowena must know what she is doing.

“OK” Emilia said, gathering her box and sketch books up and following Rowena and the black bag who had already departed down the corridor towards the lift.

She didn't glance back to 4.26. There was no emotion. To Emilia it was just another room. The room at Rowena's house was just another room too. She'd probably have to move again in a few weeks.

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Author: LittleTraumas
Timestamp: Apr 8, 2017 at 3:33 PM
Content: Thank you both. I've decided I don't like the name Rowena and it doesn't suit the character... Name hunting now.