With all that's happened in the lives of The Waters family, it really isn't any huge surprise that the kids are going off the rails just a little bit. Thomas is hacking government agencies, building an alarming collection of gems, rocks and bugs as well as hanging out with the wrong age group in less than desirable locations. Until recently, Susie has just been 'existing'. Nothing has been too unusual - her school work has been less than stellar but that's to be expected since she skipped her entire primary school years. What's stood out the most is the fact that she not made any friends, which is surprising as a teenager, but she's a very withdrawn child.

If she's not in school or working her part time job, Susie spends all of her time inside, and most of it inside her room. Emily was starting to get concerned that Susie's next birthday was approaching fast and she felt that she really needed to get herself sorted if she was going to have any sort of career after school. Emily knew she wanted to join the military, but they usually require at least half way decent school grades as a start, something Susie can barely claim.

For the better part of the last week or so Susie has been particularly grumpy and sullen. Emily tried to talk to her about it, but like any typical teenager, she was in no mood to share feelings. Emily had suspicions it was to do with her part time job at the local spa, something that Susie used as an escape. Emily had over heard the gossip mongers at the local supermarket comment that she was not doing well and was barely holding onto her job at all.

With this knowledge under her belt, Emily went home and approached Susie once more, asking specifically how she was going at work. It was that prompting that caused Susie to break down... she began crying and sharing her fears that she was going to get fired.


Emily is a wonderful mother however, and immediately jumped into ensure Susie that everything would be ok, that she just needed to apply herself a bit more. After a good chat Susie appeared to perk up a little bit. And everything is fixed with a good hug from mum...


During their talk, Emily offered to give Susie her birthday presentv a couple of days early, in the hopes it would help boost her confidence. It was a full length mirror which Susie was extremely happy to receive and something every teenage girl needs - no more having to share the only mirror in the house in the bathroom. Emily was also hoping that if Susie made an extra effort with her appearance it would also help impress her employer.

Susie started to spend a lot of time checking herself out... a little more than the average teenage girl. Morning, noon and night Susie would check and double check she was looking ok, even when she never left the house.


Emily wondered if there was perhaps a boy behind the sudden interest in Susie caring about her appearance so much. Especially when the day of Susie's birthday occurred and she noticed her dressing a lot younger than her age.

While she stayed true to her grumpy attitude, her dress style went down a notch. Previously Susie dressed in pants, a t-shirt and a jacket, something Emily felt was a little old for her age bracket, but at least it wasn't the scampy shirts and dresses that a lot of the other teenage girls around town wore. Imagine Emily's surprise when Susie came out in one of those very same little dresses that Emily despises.


After Rainer had proved time and time again what a good guy he is, Emily didn't think twice to ask for his assistance with the matter. While yes, he hadn't known Susie for that long, perhaps he could shed some insight or at least help her understand the sudden shift. What he shared threw Emily more than she could ever had expected.

Susie had approached Rainer the other night after dinner, after Emily had gone to bed and asked for assistance with her homework.


At first Rainer thought nothing of it, but something kept niggling in the back of his mind. He didn't want to tell Emily at first as she was the last person he wanted to upset, especially when she was nearing the end of her pregnancy at the time it happened.

The other morning however, after Rainer had returned from his morning workout in the gym, Susie kept staring at him over breakfast. Not only was she staring, but she continually commented on his physique, asking him about his workouts, his muscles etc. Susie commented it on enough to make Rainer a little uncomfortable.


Emily was so confused. While she trusted Rainer explicitly, she also knew that both the children have been through so much so early in life, and poor Susie must be so confused with any emotions she might be having as she transcends from a teenager to a young adult. But then what if Rainer was wrong, what if it was nothing more than Susie being happy at having a stable father figure in her life, something she had never known.

Emily decided to approach Susie, albeit very gently. She had expected a reaction of some sorts, but she hadn't expected it to be Susie running out of the house at first mention. Displaying her first signs of rebellion, Susie broke into the backyard of one of the bigger houses in the town and had a swim in their pool... the occupants not even home. And apparently none too pleased when they did come home...