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Chapter8
I woke up at 5 am out of habit. Paris had delivered a phone to me just before curfew last night and showed me how to use it. It was a smartphone, an older model but I didn't care. I could download social media according to Paris but I had no friends anymore anyway besides Jackie who was still in juvie and I doubt she had social media in there. Jackie gave me her number and told me to call her in 3 months when she got out so we could meet up. Ultimately I wouldn't be calling, I wanted to forget my time in juvie. Jackie helped while we were in there but seeing her would just remind me of the beatings I got and I didn't want to be caught up in her latest scam. I wanted to focus on my law degree which I would be starting next year. I did download my bank's apps so I could log into my account and track my money. I quickly logged into my account and saw that the emergency payment of $2000 hit my account. I would need to let the social worker on-site know I got a payment so that they could take the money out of my account to cover my costs of staying here. My next payment from Centrelink would come in in two weeks and would be $750 a fortnight. Out of that, I would have to pay $400 to cover the cost of staying here leaving me $350 for other things like clothes, uni books, toiletries and phone or internet. I would need to save to get myself a computer for uni.
I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to complete my morning routine. I had a shower washed my hair and picked out a dress to wear to court. I got myself ready and headed down to the dining area for breakfast. I had my breakfast in the dining room as it was pretty quiet and headed to the office where the social worker on duty would be.
The social worker was Jarrod and two other people were waiting to see him. I looked at the clock and it was 7 am so I had over an hour. I took a seat and waited my turn to speak with Jarrod. While waiting a group of guys came down and sat in the seats near me. One leant over and said, "Sup I'm Harley". I just nodded at him and continued to watch the clock. One of the other guys with him said "You know when someone introduces themselves you usually introduce yourself back" black hair guy said. I glanced at him and then at the guy who introduced himself as Harley then turned to look back the the clock.
There was one other person in front of me to see Jarrod and it was 7.25 am so I still had plenty of time. I was already ready just to walk out the door and meet Jenny. "Rude much," the blue hair guy said. "What you here for Princess mummy and daddy didn't buy you a new car?" He continued. These idiots didn't watch the news cause they would know who I was if they did. I had been on the news all night and this morning. The guy named Harley didn't speak he just kept looking at me. Finally, Jarrod was free and it was my turn, he stepped out of the office and said "Ah Matilda nice to meet you, how was your first night here?" While gesturing me into his office. Harley snapped his head towards me and watched as I walked into the office.
Once in the office we both sat down and Jarrod asked "What can I help you with today Matilda?". "Please call me Tilly and I wanted to let you know that my first payment came through so you can process the payment for staying here. My payment dates are every second Wednesday", I stated. Jarrod smiled "Wow usually we have to chase the first payment" he chuckled. "I'll process that now and set up a direct debit for every second Wednesday. I hear from Paris that you are heading to court today against your family, how are you feeling about this?" He continued. I just stared him in the eyes and shrugged. I didn't trust anyone but Jenny and Greg so I wasn't going to answer him.
"Anything you say in here is confidential. It stays between us. The only time it would go further is if we were concerned for your safety" Jarrod stated. I nodded and said "I was prepared for this, I knew what was coming. I don't know what you know but before I was sent to juvie my family abused me and believed I was guilty. They paid people to continue to abuse me while I was there. My lawyer and I prepared for this fight it was part of the conditions I placed on my lawyer if she was going to fight to get me out. She could get me out of juvie as long as I never had to go back to my family" I stated. Jarrod nodded "Right I'm sorry to hear that Tilly, we have on file you suffer from PTSD and suffer panic attacks and nightmares. I am assuming this is from the abuse both by your family and time in juvie?" Jarrod asked, I just nodded. Jarrod continued "All our social workers are trained to deal with panic attacks and you are welcome here any time day or night for support. Did the abuse continue the entire time you were in juvie? Do you need medical attention at the moment for any injuries?" "The abuse by the guards was stopped after 91 days in juvie by my lawyer and a guard Greg who overheard what was happening. It wasn't made public for my safety. I don't need medical attention the last time a chick tried to jump me was 5 days ago and I handled it" I replied. Jarrod nodded and then I left the office. Harley and co were still outside the office but I ignored them and headed towards the front to wait for Jenny.
As I was walking out the front when Harley called out to me "Matilda right? The chick who got let out from juvie yesterday? Heard you got sent there for murder but it was overturned". I kept walking with them following me before I sat on the stairs out the front. "Cat got your tongue Matilda?" Asked blue hair guy. I rolled my eyes at him and continued to watch for Jenny. "Lose your tongue in juvie" asked the black hair guy.
The blonde guy grabbed my arm and went to say something but I cut him off "Get your fucken hands off me and don't touch me again" I spat. Blonde hair guy put his hands up in defence and stepped back. "She speaks," said Harley. "I didn't mean what I said inside," said the blue-haired guy. I just nodded so he continued "I'm Levi, that guy over there with the blonde hair you nearly decked is Brad and the dude with the black hair is Tommy and Harley introduced himself inside". I nodded wanting them to leave me the hell alone. I survived juvie with Jackie there occasionally. I relied on myself and didn't want to get close. "You don't talk much do you, juvie did a number on you?" Harley asked. "Yep that it did, anyways my rides here" I said. "Where you off to?" asked Tommy, "court" I replied before walking over to Jenny and hopping in the car.